PICKLEBALL COLLEGE TENNIS CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

Gauge interest in National Campus Considering LED USRSA’s Racquet

the sport by creating makes the grade with lighting? First, you Selector helps find
space on your courts schools and events need a sound strategy the perfect match

OUR SPORT'S
May 2020 / Volume 48 / Number 5 / $5.00

SILENT SPRING
As the coronavirus pandemic closes courts,
postpones tournaments and has players
formerly Tennis Industry
on edge, the industry looks to rally back.

1
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 www.tennisindustrymag.com

Contents May 2020

DEPARTMENTS
4 Our Serve
6 Industry News
14 Racquet Tech
16 Court Construction:
LED Lighting
18 Senior Tennis
32 Selling for Success
38 String Playtest: Head Lynx
Tour 17
40 Your Serve, by Mary Helen
Sprecher

INDUSTRY NEWS
6 USTA, industry prepare
response to coronavirus
6 Federer gets his 'RF' logo
back from Nike
6 Head names Keenan,
Bardsley to senior roles
8 Wilson debuts all-new
Ultra v3 racquet
8 Krass announces College

8
Tennis Exposure Camps
Fashion brand Lilly Pulitzer Coronavirus sidelines tennis as
8
partners with WTA
TennisONE is official app
industry prepares to rally
for World TeamTennis P. 4, 6, 20, 40
9 People Watch
9 USTA, PBI team up
to grow tennis in U.S. INDUSTRY RACQUETS PICKLEBALL COLLEGE TENNIS
10 Ashaway introduces hybrid A Changing Inventory Inside the Acing the
string sets for badminton Game Control Lines Test
11 Short Sets
12 USRSA names new As the coronavirus Help your players Creating spaces for The 100-court
MRTs and CSs continues to cause find the best frame pickleball on existing USTA National
12 Pro-Kennex introduces physical and financial for their games, and tennis courts can Campus in Orlando is
new pickleball paddles challenges, the tennis maximize sales, using help facilities gauge scoring top marks on
industry prepares the USRSA’s exclusive interest in the the collegiate
12 Indian Wells Tennis Garden to rally. Racquet Selector. shorter-court sport. tennis scene.
partners with UTR P. 20 P. 24 P. 28 P. 36

PLUS
p.41
43 From the CEO
C OV E R P H O T O : S H U T T E R S T O C K

47 Vice President's Message

48 51 54 57
For the Enge Track Matches Tips for a Tennis Things 50 USPTA Leadership
Family, Coaching for Improved Successful You Can Do
Academy
is for Life Practices HS Coaches During the
Workshop Coronavirus 51 USPTA Master Pro Corner

Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 60 Career Development

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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 OurServe
PUBLISHER
EDITOR'S NOTE JEFF WILLIAMS

A Time of Sweeping Change EDITOR

PETER FRANCESCONI

We must strive to serve tennis MANAGING EDITOR

SCOTT GRAMLING

providers, partners and players in the CREATIVE DIRECTOR

IAN KNOWLES

most effective way possible. SENIOR EDITOR

ED McGROGAN

ART DIRECTOR
CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

T
 
PRODUCTION EDITOR
ANDREA WOO

he news in March kept communications campaigns, suggestions SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

changing by the minute, for at-home tennis-related activities, and BOB PATTERSON

as the coronavirus swept
across the world.
We all know the situa-
tion. Tennis clubs, facilities, programs
and retailers are closed throughout the
country. Tennis equipment is held up
other types of resources and assistance.
The goal is to focus on advocating for
tennis now, so people keep the sport top
of mind while also providing assistance to
tennis facilities and programs. That way,
these providers can reopen fully, once
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
DAVID LASOTA, JUDY LEAND, KENT OSWALD,
CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS

in the supply chain. Tournaments are
canceled or postponed. Tennis providers
are not working and, indeed, many have
been laid off.
With the coronavirus raging, the focus
now rightfully needs to be on health, safe-
ty, family and immediate needs. But with
many people now at home, we have time to
think about what this might mean for the
future of tennis, how we as members of the
tennis family can deal with the immediate
situation, and how we can prepare to get
this industry back up and running.
We need to look at all areas
of the business and explore
every avenue to keep people
players can safely get back on court. ASSOCIATE EDITOR
We need to look at all areas of the busi- TIM McARTHUR
ness and explore every avenue to keep
people thinking about tennis, playing the EDITORIAL DIRECTION
10TEN MEDIA
game (as safely as they can) and eager
to return to their local courts, facilities, RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
leagues and programs. 250 Park Avenue, Ste 825, NY NY 10017
For instance, the emergency response 646-381-8735
info@tennisindustrymag.com
plan would include an extensive com-
munications campaign to both connect ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
consumers and players to facilities, CTAs, JOHN HANNA
member organizations, partners, park 770-650-1102, x125
& recs, media, etc.—but also to con- hanna@knowatlanta.com
nect these groups and businesses with
APPAREL ADVERTISING
each other. It would message the health CYNTHIA SHERMAN
benefits of playing the game, and give
guidelines on how tennis can be played
203-558-5911
cstennisindustry@gmail.com
during this time of social distancing.
The good news is that the USTA, led Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per

thinking about tennis.
My concern is that, with an industry
that has experienced plenty of challenges
over the last few years, this current mess
may have a devastating effect, as some
clubs, facilities, programs and CTAs may
simply decide not to reopen at all, or to
reopen at a much lower operating level.
This may be where the aging of teaching
pros, facility owners and managers will
come back to haunt us.
What we need is a tennis emergency
response plan—an industrywide collabo-
ration to formulate marketing strategies,
by new CEO Michael Dowse, is on board
with creating a response to this unprec-
edented situation. An industry task
force has been formed with partners and
stakeholders to work together to keep the
tennis business alive.
These are extraordinary times, and we
need to have an extraordinary response
for our sport to come out of this.
Peter Francesconi
Editor
Peter@TennisIndustryMag.com
year: monthly, January through August with combined
issues in September/October and November/
December, by Tennis Channel, Inc., 250 Park Avenue,
Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Periodical postage paid
in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices (USPS
#004-354). May 2020, Volume 48, Number 5 © 2020
by Tennis Channel, Inc. All rights reserved. Racquet
Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of Tennis
Channel, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising:
770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial:
646-381-8735. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S.,
$40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Racquet Sports Industry, 250 Park Avenue, Suite
825, New York NY 10017. Racquet Sports Industry is
the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA and ASBA.
Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions.

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

IndustryNews
IndustryNews Information to help you run your business
COVID-19
USTA, Industry Prepare
Response to Coronavirus
Impact on the Sport
A
s the coronavirus spread
throughout the U.S in
March, industry organiza-
tions and stakeholders
formed an industry task force to create
an action plan and a centralized informa-
tional hub to respond to the challenges.
“Now, more than ever, it is important
that our industry faces this challenge
with a unified front,” read a statement
issued by the task force.
USTA CEO Michael Dowse initiated
the task force, which includes PTR,
USPTA, TIA, ITA, industry media part-
ners and others.
“As all of us confront the many uncer-
tainties caused by this rapidly shifting
environment, the entire tennis industry
is coming together to provide guidance
and support with the difficult decisions.”
6 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
The task force’s work is focusing on
three main areas:
1. How to ensure the best health and
safety standards at this time for facili-
ties, pros and players.
2. Helpful information for facili-
ties and individuals to access potential
financial support and other recommen-
dations on finances and resources for the
front line of tennis.
3. How to use short-term downtime
to best prepare our sport and industry to
come back strong.
The task force circulated an industry
survey to assess the current state of the
sport. In addition, the group will call
on providers, facilities, manufacturers,
subject-matter experts and others for
suggested actions and best practices we
can take to move forward.
Federer Gets ‘RF’ Logo
Back From Nike
Roger Federer, who left Nike apparel to
join Uniqlo in 2018, has obtained the rights
to his “RF” logo from Nike. The 20-time
Grand Slam champion was not allowed to
use the logo for the past couple of years, as
Nike reportedly used that time to sell the
remainder of its Federer apparel.
The 38-year-old superstar has continued
to wear Nike shoes at his matches since
leaving the brand and signing with Uniqlo
for a rumored $30 million annually. Neither
Federer nor Uniqlo have indicated what
they may have planned with the RF logo.
Head Names Keenan,
Bardsley to Senior Positions
Head North America has promoted
two senior managers.
Joe Keenan, who has served in
various senior management positions
since joining Head nine years ago, has
been promoted to vice president of sales
for the United States. He’ll continue to
manage the pro specialty sales efforts,
tech rep program and key account strat-
egy, but he’ll expand his role with a num-
ber of key industry partners.
“Joe is the consummate professional
and has had success in every position
he has held at Head,” says Kevin Kempin,
chief executive officer and president
of Head North America. “He is widely
respected within our industry and is
well-equipped to lead our sales team
forward.”
Additionally, Jeff Bardsley, a 27-year
G ET T Y I M A G E S
Head veteran, has been promoted to
vice president of marketing for North
America. Bardsley has held a variety of
positions within Head Canada.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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Industry
IndustryNews

Krass Announces College

Tennis Exposure Camps
Coach Ed Krass has announced his
College Tennis Exposure Camps &
Clinics Tour, designed for players ages
14-18 who are interested in playing
college tennis and learning from a staff
made up of head coaches at colleges and
RACQUETS universities. The camps are currently
scheduled for:
Wilson Debuts New Ultra v3 • June 27-28, at Brandeis University in
Waltham, Mass.

W
• July 12-16 and 18-22 and 12-22, at
ilson recently introduced its all-new Ultra v3 frame, designed for play- Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
ers who desire a racquet that “does the work for them, making power • July 25-26, at Harvard University in
shots a thing of ease from anywhere on the court,” says the company. Cambridge, Mass.
“We wanted to answer the question of what exactly does this player want in their In the camps, players interact with
racquet,” says Wilson Racquet Sports General Manager Hans-Martin Reh. “After coaches on court and have the oppor-
working with hundreds of players, we were able to create a racquet that delivers tunity to showcase their skills and work
power and stability, which were the two key benefits players said they needed, ethic. For more information, contact
regardless of age or if they played singles or doubles.” Krass at 813-684-9031, 813 478-3384
The Ultra v3 line consists of five models: Ultra 100 (suggested retail price $199), (cell) or oneononedoubles@yahoo.com.
Ultra 100L ($189), Ultra 100UL ($179), Ultra 108 ($189) and Ultra Pro ($249).
Matching Ultra gear bags and backpacks are also available. Fashion Brand Lilly Pulitzer
Visit wilson.com/ultra for more information. Partners with WTA
Lilly Pulitzer, the Palm Beach-
inspired fashion brand, announced
a new partnership with the Women’s
Tennis Association. The two brands
are uniting for a youth empowerment
initiative, aimed to inspire confidence
and optimism in future generations as
part of Lilly’s new “Be the Sunshine”
campaign.
Lilly Pulitzer will also serve as the
WTA’s exclusive fashion uniform pro-
vider throughout the 2020 season,
outfitting the WTA corporate court-
side team members at tournaments,
including chair umpires, officials and
sport science and medicine teams.
The “Be the Sunshine” campaign
will launch with a $50,000 donation to
WTA’s philanthropic arm, WTA Chari-
ties. Throughout the 2020 campaign,

LOVE LOVE
Club members and students will LOVE facing
off against the phenom. You will LOVE
offering the added advantage.
Lilly Pulitzer and WTA Charities will
invest dedicated resources to promote
positivity and inspire confidence in
local WTA communities through WTA
Charities programs.
TennisONE Is Official App
For World TeamTennis
C O U RT E S Y W I L S O N

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te play more. win more.®

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For more information, please call 888.380.9460 or visit www.lobstersports.com World TeamTennis.

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 Industry
IndustryNews

Set for its 45th season in 2020, WTT

will join a growing number of interna-
tional tennis events to be featured on
the new TennisONE App, a year-round
mobile hub for all things tennis. Fans
who download the TennisONE App will
be able to follow WTT teams and players,
check live scores, watch video streams,
monitor league standings and enjoy
social games that elevate the mobile
fan experience.
The 2020 WTT season is scheduled to
showcase nine teams and 63 matches
from July 12 to 30, with the semifinals
and finals at the Orleans Casino in Las
Vegas Aug. 1 and 2. The TennisONE App
is available on both iOS and Android and
can be downloaded in the App Store and
on Google Play.
USTA, PBI Team Up
To Grow Tennis in U.S.
The USTA and Peter Burwash Inter-
national announced a partnership in
which both parties will combine
People
Watch
Babolat Marketing Manager Sally
Morris received the company’s “Tennis
Runs in Our Blood Award” for 2019, for
her service as U.S. employee of the year.
USTA Senior Director Jeff Ryan has
been named executive director of the
Winston-Salem Open. He succeeds Bill
Oakes, who resigned in January to pursue
other opportunities. Oakes had been the
director of the Winston-Salem Open since
its inception nearly 10 years ago. Ryan
has been with the USTA since 1997 and
has worked extensively with the three
Davis Cup events that have been held in
Winston-Salem at the Joel Coliseum.
Former ATP Tour pro and veteran tour
coach Jay Gooding is the new head coach
for the Orlando Storm of World Team-
Tennis. He is co-founder of the Gooding
Todero Academy in Orlando, Fla.
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka will
be the subject of a Netflix documentary
series. The film will follow the two-time
Grand Slam champion from the 2019 US
Open through each of this year’s major
tournaments. Netflix did not disclose a
title for the series, nor when the series
would be available to subscribers.
Jeff Davis has joined LSI Industries as
president of LSI Lighting, responsible for
the company’s sales functions and com-
mercial planning efforts.

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www.tennisindustrymag.com May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9

 IndustryNews

resources to continue growing the

sport of tennis, with particular focus
on attracting younger players.
The USTA will provide state-of-the-
art coaching tools and programming
to PBI, including access to the USTA’s
Net Generation and adult suite of pro-
grams and apps, in order to enhance
PBI’s current youth and adult offer-
ings. PBI coaches also will gain access
to USTA coaching curriculums, which
include video lesson plans and activi-
ties, to bolster their own lesson plans.
As part of this new partnership, all
PBI tennis professionals located in the
U.S. will engage in and support the
USTA’s Net Generation youth brand by
registering, creating a coaching profile
and becoming SafePlay compliant to
help parents find a safe, high-quality
tennis coach for their children.

Ashaway Introduces Hybrid

String Sets for Badminton
Ashaway Racket Strings has introduced
Rogue Duo Hybrid, its first hybrid string
set for badminton. Rogue Duo Hybrid
combines two Ashaway Beta Polymer
strings specifically formulated for use in
hybrid sets.
The mains are made of RD68, a black
0.68 mm string, designed to provide a
durable stringbed. The crosses are RD61,
an orange 0.61 mm string with a textured
gripping surface for control and sharp
spin. Beta Polymer string technology
maximizes shuttle speed and generates
excellent repulsion, says Ashaway.
“Hybrid stringing has been gaining
popularity in badminton for several
years,” says Ashaway’s Steve Crandall.
“Rogue Duo Hybrid provides a hybrid
string pattern for top players designed
to optimize precision shot making with
maximum spin and control.”
Visit ashawayusa.com for more info.
C O U RT E S Y A S H AWAY

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

 Short
Sets
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Facing the coronavirus pandem-
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nis calendar to Sept. 20 to Oct. 4.

The move means the clay-court
Grand Slam will be held at the CALL FOR A CERTIED CONTRACTOR IN YOUR AREA!
same time as the popular Laver
Cup exhibition, among other ATP info@ritewaytennis.com | 1-877-5 RiteWay
and WTA tournaments. www.ritewaytennis.com
As the U.S. battles the corona-
virus, the USPTA has removed its
paywall on TennisResources.com,
so members can choose continu-
ing education courses from the
entire library at no cost.

The Laver Cup, an annual team

competition that pits Team Europe
against Team World, recently
announced a new sponsorship
with Marriott International that
gives Marriott Bonvoy members
access to tickets and preferred
accommodations near the tourna-
ment. This year’s event is slated to
take place in Boston Sept. 25-27.

TGA Premier Sports, a provider of Watch

in-school and community-based the Ball
youth tennis programs, has been
named to Entrepreneur’s Franchise
500, a distinction the publication NEVER
says indicates TGA is among com- give up
panies “that continue to evolve to
keep going strong year after year.”
The 41st annual Franchise 500
appeared in the January 2020
issue of Entrepreneur, with TGA
Premier Sports at No. 460.

www.tennisindustrymag.com May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11

IndustryNews
U.S. Racquet Stringers Assn.
Names New MRTs, CSs
Master Racquet Technicians
• Le Chen, Sunnybank Hills, Australia
• Federico Gatti, Felegara, Italy
• Kirstie Hearn, Colorado Springs,
Colo.
• Lorenzo Panena, Brescia, Italy
• Marcello Surace, Palmi Reggio,
Italy
12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
Certified Stringers
• John David Albright, Friendswood,
Texas
• Javier Contreras, Austin, Texas
• Asako Ishil-Judon, Acton, Mass.
• Alexander Prince, Rocklin, Calif.
• Levi Renteria, Thermal, Calif.
• Daniel Alexander Rosner,
Lakewood, Colo.
• Craig Starke, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Pro-Kennex Introduces
New Pickleball Paddles
Pro-Kennex's latest pickleball paddles
are the oval Ovation Touch and the con-
ventionally rectangular Pro Touch, both
with a suggested retail price of $169. The
company’s paddles utilize an embedded
energy transfer system in the core to help
reduce vibration.
Pro-Kennex says its engineers worked
with head of paddle development and
pickleball champion Steve Dawson to
create paddles with texture-free faces
that increase friction as the ball meets
and leaves the paddle; an updated edge
guard to reduce drag and vibration, and
honeycombed polypropylene cores.
For more information, visit pro-kennex-
pickleball.com, or call 760-473-3069.
I.W. Tennis Garden, UTR Partner
Universal Tennis (MyUTR.com)
and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden
(IndianWellsTennisGarden.com) an-
nounced a new partnership under
which Indian Wells Tennis Garden will
integrate Universal Tennis’ technol-
ogy, assets and resources to support
tennis events and programming.
“Universal Tennis is bringing
innovation to tennis, and its growth
and impact on the sport in a very short
period of time is impressive,” said Fred
Hartzman, IWTG director.
The first events, scheduled during
the BNP Paribas Open, were post-
poned due to the coronavirus.
Correction
C O U RT E S Y P R O - K E N N E X
The location of the Lincoln Park
Tennis Courts, one of the ASBA’s
Distinguished Outdoor Tennis Facili-
ties for 2019, was incorrectly listed in
the February issue. They are in East
St. Louis, Ill. The award-winning proj-
ect is by McConnell & Associates Corp.
www.tennisindustrymag.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE
Safety First
In this time of the coronavirus, simple
precautions can help protect you,
your staff and your players.
By Bob Patterson
Executive Director, USRSA
W
ith the widespread
and tragic coro-
navirus outbreak,
several USRSA
members from
around the world have submitted ideas
and tips on dealing with this issue in
your business. No matter where you
work, it never hurts to use caution.
Even before this pandemic, we hope
you have been using common sense and
exercising caution when handling rac-
quets. If you have been a racquet techni-
cian very long, you have no doubt en-
countered your share of racquets with
disgusting, sweaty grips coming in for
service. This was the norm in my tour-
nament stringer days, as pros would get
their racquets strung every day, includ-
ing the ones they had just played with
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Racquet Tech
or practiced with. They never hesitated
to drop off their racquets complete with
sweat-drenched grips.
In our tournament stringing room,
we kept a spool of 5-inch plastic film
to seal the handles of these racquets,
protecting our technicians from all
that these wet grips presented. This
film, normally used to secure boxes on
pallets or to wrap furniture for moving,
is inexpensive, easy to use and can be
found at most office supply stores. You
could also use plastic kitchen wrap if
your volume is low.
Use common sense when it comes to
protecting you and your staff, as well
as inhibiting the spread of any nasty
germs that may be present. Even when
there isn’t a pandemic threatening, you
should be taking simple precautions.
Even before this pandemic,
we hope you have been
using common sense and
exercising caution when
handling racquets.
Every year we encounter common
colds and flu, which are spread through
germs from person to person. Simply
washing your hands thoroughly and
often can cut your risk and the risk to
others. Practicing “social distancing”—
keeping a 6-foot distance from other
people—can also help prevent germs
from spreading. Stop shaking hands or
hugging others, too.
Some of our members have weighed
in on what they’re doing to prevent
the spread of the coronavirus. Alvin
Ng, an Master Racquet Technician in
Singapore, has implemented limited
client interaction, scheduling service
by appointment only, and eliminating
walk-in clients. He has set up a system
on his website where clients can sched-
ule a racquet drop-off and pick-up.
Additionally, each racquet that comes in
is thoroughly sanitized with alcohol and
sanitizing wipes. He also routinely sani-
tizes all door handles and hard surfaces
in his shop, and provides hand sanitizer
for his employees and clients.
Other measures, such as having
technicians wear latex gloves, may be
prudent, but this may do little to protect
if you are handling anything else during
the service process. Any germs con-
tacting the glove surface is still spread
to everything you touch. A thorough
sanitizing of one’s hands and all tools,
machinery and surfaces, both before
and after working with them—including
the gloves themselves—will go a long
way in preventing germs from spread-
ing around your workspace.
With some simple, common-sense
measures, you can keep yourself, your
staff and your clients safe, while con-
tinuing to provide topnotch service to
your players. 
May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 14
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 Court Construction
FACILITY LIGHTING
Bright Idea
Thinking about installing LED lights?
Make sure you have a sound strategy that
makes the most of the technology.
By Patrick Frasure
L
ED lighting for indoor
and outdoor court
sports continues to grow
in popularity with facil-
ity owners and manag-
ers. The advantages of
LED lighting systems are significantly
lower energy costs, reduced mainte-
nance and instant-on capability.
While some may still consider LED
lighting to be a relatively new tech-
nology, many installations have been
operating successfully for more than
five years. Properly implemented in
16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
a purpose-built luminaire, LEDs can
offer reliable, high-quality light over a
long lifetime.
Our company, Frasure Reps Sports
Lighting in Cincinnati , has been
involved with providing court sports
lighting systems for more than 30
years, and the transition to LED is
certainly the most important techno-
logical advancement we have seen in
this industry.
That said, to ensure your experience
with LED lighting is a positive one,
make sure to avoid certain pitfalls that
With LED technology,
the McKee Indoor Tennis
Complex on the campus
of Iowa State University
provides players with
uniformly lit courts.
will result in unsatisfactory results and
wasted capital investment, including
using LED “replacement bulbs” in
existing fixtures, using LED products
of questionable quality, using LED
products that are not intended for
court lighting, and using lighting sup-
port structures that are old and need to
be replaced.
Avoid LED ‘Replacement Bulbs’
in Existing Fixtures
Trying to convert existing lighting
fixtures to handle LED lighting is the
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y F R A S U R E R E P S
biggest mistake we see facility owners
and managers make. The LED replace-
ment bulbs—sometimes referred to as
“corncob bulbs”—are screwed into the
sockets of existing fixtures, a suppos-
edly, quick-fix solution that, on the
surface, may look attractive. But while
these replacement bulbs will save
energy, the fixture will perform poorly
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 To ensure your experience with LED lighting is a positive one,
make sure to avoid certain pitfalls that will result in unsatisfactory results
and wasted capital investment.

from a light-distribution standpoint.
Light fixtures whose optical systems
were designed for metal halide bulbs
will not direct light from LED replace-
ment bulbs effectively. In many cases,
resulting light levels on a court will be
lower than they were previously, which
will mean unhappy players. While using
LED replacement bulbs may initially
be less costly than other, more effective
LED solutions, it is not inexpensive,
and it ends up becoming a cost that you
can’t recover.
Use LED-Specific Fixtures
The best strategy for implementing
LED lighting is to replace existing
fixtures with integrated, purpose-built
fixtures specifically designed for LED
lighting. Purpose-built LED fixtures
will have precise optics that direct light
onto the court effectively and uniform-
ly. In a purpose-built LED luminaire, a
fixture’s thermal design is specified to
support continuous operation without
incurring heat damage.
When selecting new LED fixtures,
we recommend that you use a product
specifically intended for sport-court
lighting. Fixtures designed for parking
lot lighting do not generally work well
for court lighting.
Choose an LED fixture from a
manufacturer that has a history in the
court-lighting market. Ask potential
LED fixture suppliers for a list of prior
installations, and if there are any that
you can view in person.
Finally, while it’s more cost effective
to use existing light poles on outdoor
courts, the structural condition of the
poles should be inspected closely. Light
poles that are more than 20 years old
may have deteriorated to the point that
it would not make sense to install new,
expensive LED fixtures to them. More
In Florida, the Midtown
Athletic Club Weston takes
advantage of LED's lower
energy costs and reduced
maintenance needs.
importantly, light poles that are at the
end of their life expectancy are a sig-
nificant potential liability to the safety
of players.
If you’re considering switching to
LED lighting for your facility, make
sure you go into the project with a solid
strategy that makes the most of this
innovative technology. •
Patrick Frasure is the vice president for
Frasure Reps, a manufacturer’s repre-
sentative specializing in the design and
supply of court lighting systems for over
30 years, and a longtime member of the
American Sports Builder’s Association.

www.tennisindustrymag.com May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17

 Recreational Tennis
GRASSROOTS GROWTH
They’ve Done Some
Great Things
The National Senior Men’s Tennis
Association aims to improve the game
for a growing segment of players.
By Paul Fein
T
hey play to live, and
they live to play. While
their bodies may not be
quite what they once
were, their spirits are
better than ever, brim-
ming with enthusiasm. Seniors from
ages 40 to 100 comprise an increasing
percentage of America’s 18 million
tennis players, and some 265,000 of
these athletes competed in USTA senior
tournaments and leagues last year.
In January 2018, Jimmy Parker, Jerry
Thomas, Steve Duffel, Mas Kimball,
18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
Larry Turville and Ed Trost founded
the National Senior Men’s Tennis
Association. Parker is quick to credit
John Powless as “the true dean of men’s
senior tennis for ably carrying the ban-
ner of Super Senior Tennis for many
years.” Super Senior Tennis was created
shortly after World War II to promote
tennis for players 55 and over.
“We all realized that senior tourna-
ment tennis was a relatively low prior-
ity for the USTA,” says Parker, the
NSMTA president and its superstar
player with a record 150 national titles.
National Senior Men's Tennis
Association player Mark Vines
(left), in action. Jimmy Parker
(right) is a founder of the
organization, created to promote
tennis for players 55 and over.
“The six of us formed the first Board of
Directors. Fortuitously, we each have
different skill sets, and we wouldn’t be
where we are without the unique con-
tributions of each one of us, especially
Mas, who created a diverse website
from scratch.”
The Original Six were also inspired
by their highly successful women’s
counterpart.
“The senior women had founded the
National Senior Women’s Tennis
Association more than 40 years ago,”
explains Parker. “They wanted us to
get off our butts and do the same for the
men, to provide a more unified front in
advocating senior tennis competition.”
The NSMTA’s biggest goals are to
improve the experience of playing
senior tennis, provide input to the
USTA, and offer a forum for players to
exchange ideas. The full mission state-
ment is on their website, nsmta.net.
The well-designed, easy-to-navigate
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y N AT I O N A L S E N I O R M E N ' S T E N N I S A S S O C I AT I O N/ M A R K V I N E S
website also features a wealth of infor-
mation and advice about senior tennis.
There are articles by leading tennis
writers, thought-provoking blogs,
member-written stories, instructional
and health-related insights relevant
to seniors, poignant reminiscences,
tournament news and photos, and book
reviews. For a small fee, anyone can
advertise their own tournament or
event on the website.
The fast-growing NSMTA, which
boasts nearly 800 members, already has
more than lived up to its motto: “Let’s
do some great things for senior men’s
tennis together!”
Among its impressive accomplish-
ments, the NSMTA inaugurated a Triple
Crown concept that it partially under-
writes, linking groups of three existing
tournaments into a grand prix format.
Longboat Key, Naples and St. Peters-
burg Cat II’s, and the Wilson in Palm
www.tennisindustrymag.com

Desert, Pacific Southwest and Fiesta
Bowl Cat II’s are now set up as Triple
Crowns, with more to come.
The fledgling organization also
inaugurated an Invitational Team
Series, putting some already success-
ful doubles events under one umbrella,
like the Jerry Kirk Memorial and the
Mountain Team Doubles Invitational,
along with new ones like the Gatlin Cup
and the Rasgado New Year’s Doubles
Team Cup.
Other noteworthy achievements
include providing financial assistance
to tournaments that agreed to follow
NSMTA guidelines, which included
using the round-robin doubles format;
setting up a grant program to assist
clubs in obtaining Automated External
Defibrillator equipment; making avail-
able the Tournament Directors Hand-
book for free online; and inaugurating a
Community Outreach Program to raise
money for local tennis organizations.
While the NSMTA has come a long
way in a short time, Parker has shown
no indication of slowing down.
“We’d like to expand our member-
ship and continue to make our website
better,” he says. “We are adding tourna-
ments to our Triple Crown format, and
want to continue to inaugurate doubles
events. And we’re always looking for
ways to partner with the NSWTA. We’re
discussing aging-up points, which the
USTA currently vaporizes when you
move up into a new age group.
“There’s plenty to keep us busy.” 

Longtime tennis writer Paul Fein has received more than 40 writing awards and authored three books: "Tennis Confidential:
Today’s Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies"; "You Can Quote Me on That: Greatest Tennis Quips, Insights, and
Zingers"; and "Tennis Confidential II: More of Today’s Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies." Fein is also a USPTA-
certified teaching pro and coach with an Elite rating, a former director of the Springfield (Mass.) Satellite Tournament, a former
Top 10-ranked men’s open New England tournament player and No. 1-ranked Super Senior player in New England. His websites
are www.tennisconfidential.com and www.tennisquotes.com.
THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO PLAY.

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www.tennisindustrymag.com May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19


COVID-19 VIRUS
A Changing
Game
As the coronavirus continues to inflict
physical, mental and financial misery,
the tennis industry prepares to rally.
By Judy Leand
People and businesses the
world over are reeling from
the effects of the coronavi-
rus pandemic. For tennis, a
sport that’s been in an on-
going fight to boost partici-
pation and awareness, the
swift spread of COVID-19
has packed a particularly
hard punch.
With most product
coming from overseas,
particularly Asia, tennis
20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
manufacturers are fighting
to overcome supply chain
and delivery issues. The
sport’s governing bodies
are scrambling to provide
guidance surrounding
the continually changing
status of cancelled and
postponed events. Ten-
nis clubs and facilities are
being forced to endure
extended shutdowns. And
players are simply pining
for some court time.
Not surprisingly,
business has been strained
for tennis equipment,
footwear and apparel
manufacturers that rely on
overseas partners.
“The coronavirus has
impacted production of
many products in our
industry,” explains Bryan
Ogle, national sales direc-
tor at Babolat.
With facility and court closures,
programs suspended and
professional events canceled
or postponed, the coronavirus
pandemic will have far-reaching
consequences on the industry.
“All goods made in Asia
have seen some type of
impact on production due
to supply chain or person-
nel. The largest concern
is China, a large global
producer of goods, so if the
capacity there is compro-
mised, then production is
compromised.”
More specifically, Ogle
says most of the impact is
affecting the brand’s rac-
quets made in China.
“Our apparel and shoes
are made elsewhere, but
may need pieces here or
there from China,” he says.
“Some of our products
come from a warehouse in
France, which is now shut
down. We have not felt the
impact of that yet.”
Ogle believes it’s next to
impossible to predict how
long the troubling situa-
tion might last.
“Sales is a two-part pro-
cess: goods to be sold and
a consumer to buy them,”
he notes. “Regardless of the
product, this dynamic is
in flux and no one has the
answers.”
The USTA created a
Medical Advisory Com-
mittee to offer guidance
on issues related to the
COVID-19 virus, including
length of time for closings
and tournament and event
suspensions. As of press
time, based on recommen-
dations from the Medical
Advisory Committee, the
USTA closed the Billie
Jean King National Tennis
Center in New York as well
as the National Campus in
Orlando through May 3.
Moreover, the orga-
nization suspended all
USTA-sanctioned prod-
ucts and events, including
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 The sport’s governing bodies are scrambling to provide guidance surrounding
cancelled and postponed events. Tennis clubs and facilities are being forced to endure
extended shutdowns. And players are simply pining for some court time.
Adult and Junior Tourna-
ments, League Tennis,
Junior Team Tennis, USTA
Schools programs, Tennis
on Campus, Wheelchair
Events and USTA Pro
Circuit Events until at least
May 3. The USTA plans to
reschedule events where
possible and will stay on
top of evolving conditions
to make determinations
about events and activities
occurring after May 3.
In addition, the ATP
and WTA issued a joint
statement suspending all
tournaments until June 7
due to the pandemic, and
all men’s and women’s
rankings have been frozen
until further notice.
In an odd twist, Roland
Garros announced a new
start date, which falls just
six days after the conclu-
sion of the US Open (the
latter to be held Aug.
GETTY IMAGES
24-Sept. 13). It impacts the
entire season and makes
tennis the major sport with
the longest announced
suspension of play.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Tennis Providers
John Embree, CEO of the
USPTA, says his organiza-
tion is taking steps to help
mitigate the pain in the
short term.
“We have removed the
paywall on TennisRe-
sources.com, so members
can choose continuing edu-
cation courses from our
entire library at no cost,”
he says. “The Board and
Executive Committee will
meet and discuss all the
ways we can support our
members, and we will com-
municate and implement
those as soon as possible.”
Likewise, the PTR is
moving to help its mem-
bers during this time.
“We’ve reached out to
our PTR family through a
variety of social media to
let them know we care,”
says PTR CEO Dan Santo-
rum. “Since many pros are
not working or are social
distancing, we wanted to
give them ways to stay pro-
ductive and elevate their
coaching knowledge, so we
are providng new continu-
ing education free online.”
Tennis clubs are un-
doubtedly in for a rough
ride. In mid-March, Doug
Cash, owner of CashFlow
Tennis, a consultancy for
clubs, said he expected
“100 percent of clubs to be
closed soon,” a prediction
that sadly appears to be
coming true.
Just prior to mandated
shutdowns, Cash observed
that most tennis clubs that
were open were very busy.
“The question is whether
the small guys can stay
open after this,” he says.
“There will be some
casualties. The deeper the
pockets of the owners, the
more likely it is that those
clubs will survive.”
Club Concerns
For club owners, there are
big questions concern-
ing which staff members
to pay, and for how long.
There are no easy answers.
“This will certainly have
an effect on our industry.
May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
Will people join clubs
after a couple of months
of financial pressure? The
after-effects are unknown,”
Cash says. “This could
change the nature of the
sport due to fewer clubs
existing in the future.”
At Howland, Mich.-
based DeWitt Tennis
Center at Hope College,
manager Jorge Capes-
tany was making plans
to expand the facility’s
programming—and then
the coronavirus hit.
“We have six indoor
courts and 12 outdoor
courts owned by the col-
lege, 500 members that
take advantage of our
programming, and we’re
also involved in the Hope
College Professional Ten-
nis Management program,”
he says. “We’re looking to
reopen on April 13, which
is when Hope College is
scheduled to reopen.”
During the DeWitt Ten-
nis Center’s closure, there
will be plenty of extra work
for Capestany.
21
 “We’ll have to refund
clinics and court time,” he
says. “We had 100 kids in
our sessions. It will be a
financial hit. The coaches
are paid by the school, but
the kids will lose out. It’s
wild. The nature of what
we do is to bring people
together to play.”
To help the club stay
connected to its members,
and to help ease boredom
and isolation, Capestany is
sending out instructional
tennis videos every other
day, and also plans to con-
duct a live coaching call.
Fitness Chains
Larger entities such as
Lifetime—which oper-
ates 153 total clubs across
the U.S., 31 of which have
tennis facilities and pro-
grams—are not under as
much financial pressure as
smaller independents.
“We’re lucky, we’re
one of the largest clubs in
the U.S., but this is a very
tough phase,” says Ajay
Pant, Lifetime’s national
tennis director. “We have
up to 400 teaching pros
and [until the coronavirus
hit] 20,000 people were
playing per month. We
also have more than 6,000
kids in various stages of
development. We have no
idea when we’ll reopen, but
we’re hoping for April.”
Pant has found that
tennis players tend to stick
with the sport, which will
be crucial once the corona-
virus crisis abates.
“We’ve seen a four to five
times greater retention
pattern for tennis than
for regular fitness. Tennis
people stay—plus they tend
to have more discretionary
22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
Lifetime national tennis director Ajay Pant has found that tennis players tend to
stick with the sport, which will be crucial once the coronavirus crisis abates.
income and fewer financial
hardships,” he says. “I’m
the eternal optimist. My
own opinion is that once
things level out, people will
want to play.”
No matter how recov-
ery goes, the coronavirus
pandemic is sure to have
far-reaching consequences
for tennis and the sporting
goods industry at large.
“The racquet sports
industry is no different
than any other in a brand/
consumer dynamic,”
says Babolat’s Ogle. “The
larger implications on the
economy are going to be
the main drivers of impact
for our industry.”
But, he adds, “Staying
healthy is key and play-
ing tennis is good for your
health. Plus, the sport
requires social distancing.
Frankly, the whole situa-
tion is a big wake-up call
for everybody.” •
Tennis Fights Back
Many in the tennis industry are seeking ways to blunt the
impact of the contagion and stay engaged with their
customers and communities. Here are a few ideas.
• Stay connected via email and social media. Keep your
community up to date on what’s happening on your end,
and help people retain their enthusiasm for the sport.
• For clubs and facilities, contact your top vendors and keep
them in the loop about your business. Also, some vendors
may want to send future orders early, so consider placing
preseason orders on a “call before ship” basis.
• Understand risks in the supply chain. “Assess the risk of
deliveries being delayed for the upcoming season, and the
likelihood this will translate into lower revenue,” suggests
global consultancy Bain and Company.
• Communicate with employees and customers/members—
and deal in specifics. Highlight measures to protect staff as
well as customers. For instance, if your club is undergoing
GETTY IMAGES
extra cleaning or attending to needed maintenance during
a closure, this can be very reassuring to club members.
• Plan for recovery! And as normal life resumes, don’t be quick
to discontinue enhanced safety and hygiene procedures.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 WE SUPPORT OVER
250 LOCAL GRASSROOTS,
NJTL CHAPTERS,
AND THE 160,000
KIDS THEY SERVE

The National Junior Tennis and Learning Network was

created as a way to gain and hold the attention of young people,
with the hope of teaching them the importance of character,
getting an education and becoming productive citizens.

Now more than ever we need your help to support the next
generation of tennis players and leaders across the country.
Today we ask you to stand with us, and please consider
making a donation or getting involved to help kids
on and off the court in your local community.

DONATE:
ustafoundation.com/donate
GET INVOLVED:
email us at njtl@usta.com
Photo courtesy of Kings County Tennis League, a chartered NJTL chapter supported by the USTA Foundation. The USTA Foundation Incorporated (“USTA
Foundation”) provides grants and scholarships for programs that combine tennis with education to enrich the lives of under-resourced youth. USTA Foundation
is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, not-for-profit, charitable and educational organization. IRS ID #13-3782331. A copy of USTA Foundation’s most recent annual report is
available by contacting USTA Foundation Incorporated at 70 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604 or the New York State Attorney General Charities Bureau
at 120 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10271. ©2020 USTA Foundation Incorporated, 70 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, New York 10604. All rights reserved.
Inventory
SELLING FRAMES
Control
Help your players find the best frame for
their game while maximizing your sales
with our exclusive Racquet Selector chart.
By Bob Patterson
Executive Director, USRSA
24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
There is no question that selling
racquets is a difficult business for
retailers these days. The competition
is everywhere, and the sheer number
of products to choose from can be
overwhelming, even for an experi-
enced shop.
We have often said that trying to
compete on price is never a sound
practice. MAP pricing (minimum
advertised price) has evened the play-
ing field to a degree, although there
are still rogue operators who don’t
always play by the rules.
From discussions with many retail-
ers, though, it seems that selection
is more of an issue than price. It may
seem insurmountable for a small pro
shop to compete with the hundreds of
models offered by large retailers and
internet dealers. But many studies
indicate that customers don’t cope as
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 2020
RACQUET
2020 SELECTOR

well when presented with too many
options, which can affect purchases.
Add in that today’s customers are
looking for competent and knowl-
edgeable service when it comes to
their shopping experience, and brick-
and-mortar shops have a notable edge.
Your Advantage
For consumers, taking a trip to your
shop may not be as convenient as sit-
ting on their sofas with a tablet or lap-
top and clicking to buy a racquet. But
consider your customer. If they are
avid tennis players, they most likely
consider buying a new racquet serious
business, so they’ll put some effort
into making a sound decision. That’s
an advantage for smaller retailers.
You need to be prepared to impress
consumers when they seek you out.
Service
Keep in mind that your customers
aren’t coming into your shop just to
buy a frame; they want your expertise
and guidance. They will likely have
spent some time researching racquets
online and will probably have a pre-
conceived idea of what they are look-
ing for, so you need to discern whether
the information they are working with
is accurate or not, and if they fully
understand it.
If they gathered information from
a manufacturer’s website, at least the
information is well-based, although
it is likely to be biased toward that
manufacturer’s products. Let’s face it,
there is probably more bad informa-
tion online than there is accurate info,
so use your expertise to guide them.
If a customer has bad information,
point them to a more credible source
to illustrate your point. They will
likely appreciate your help. If their
information is solid, then much of
your work is done.
Knowledge is Key
To fully help your client, you must
have a good understanding of racquet
technology and how to properly fit a
player with a racquet that will help
improve their performance.
Even if you stock frames from just
one or two manufacturers, you need to
be familiar with other brands’ product
in order to speak about them, other-
wise your customer will sense your
limited knowledge as a bias toward
your in-stock product.
If your inventory is limited, you can
still meet the needs of most players if
you choose your stock wisely. Utiliz-
ing the Racquet Specifications tool on
the USRSA website RacquetTech.com,
you can ensure your inventory offers
a wide variety based on weight, swing
weight, head size and other factors to
meet players’ needs.
You can also use the Racquet Selec-
tor tool to dial-in on a customer’s
specific needs. The tool allows you to
plug in the customer’s current racquet
and then answer questions about what
they would like to change—power,
comfort, etc. The Racquet Selector
tool will provide a list of current
racquets to suggest to your customer.
If they love their current racquet, you
can tell the tool to search “about the
same” for all the choices, and the
Selector will return a list of new
frames similar to their current one.
Demo, Demo, Demo
Although some online retailers offer
demo programs, how convenient is
it to wait for a shipment, and then
have to ship the racquets back once
the demo period is completed? Pro-
mote your demo program and make
it simple and easy to use. Make sure
your demo racquets are freshly strung
and have a clean overgrip installed.
Racquet Selector Chart
The chart on the following pages
shows the racquets that are currently
listed in the USRSA database. We’ve
highlighted new introductions since
last year’s Racquet Selector issue.
USRSA members can access the
entire database, as well as all the as-
sociated search tools, on RacquetTech.
com. (To become a member of the
USRSA, visit the website to see mem-
bership options, including a 30-day
trial membership.)
With a little effort and planning,
brick-and-mortar shops can compete
in today’s market. Utilize your and
your staff’s skill and knowledge, and
the tools available to help select a
solid, diverse inventory for your shop
that is geared to your players. •

1. Head Size: Square-inch measurement of
Understanding hitting surface (the strung area).
The Specs 2. Length: Length of the frame from the butt of
the handle to the top of the hoop.
3. Weight: Overall weight of the strung racquet,
listed in both ounces and grams.
4. Balance: Measurement from the butt end
of racquet to the “balance point,” listed in
centimeters.
5. Flex: Measurement of the racquet’s stiffness
using the Babolat Racquet Diagnostic Center.
6. Swing Weight: The dynamic inertia of the
racquet measuring the distribution of mass
along the length of the racquet in kg x cm2.
7. Power Formula: Determined by an algorithm
in the USRSA database using key specs that
contribute to the power of the racquet: Length,
Head Size, Flex and Swing Weight.
Note: Design of the double-handled Battisone
frames does not allow some tests to be performed.

www.tennisindustrymag.com May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25


R A C Q U E T S C U R R E N T LY O N T H E M A R K E T
Head Swing
Racquet size Length Weight Weight Balance Flex weight Power Retail
(in2) (in) (gm) (oz) (cm) (RDC) (kg x Formula Price
cm2)
Babolat Dynamite (HST 95) 95 27 281 9.91 36.00 64 312 1897 $100.00
Aero G (2019) 102 27 287 10.12 33.40 62 298 1885 $159.00
Boost A (2019) 102 27 266 9.38 35.50 64 276 1802 $99.00
Boost D (2018) 105 27 274 9.67 35.50 63 290 1918 $99.00
Boost S (Full Graphite at 3 o'clock) 102 27 289 10.19 32.70 63 281 1806 $99.00
Drive G (2018) 102 27 286 10.09 33.40 67 299 2043 $169.00
Drive G 115 (2018) 115 27.5 260 9.17 36.90 59 317 2258 $159.00
Drive G Lite (2018) 102 27 274 9.67 34.40 62 295 1866 $149.00
Pure Aero (2019) 100 27 322 11.36 33.30 67 329 2204 $229.00
Pure Aero + (2019) 100 27.5 317 11.18 33.30 67 325 2286 $229.00
Pure Aero Lite (2019) 100 27 288 10.16 34.30 66 304 2006 $199.00
Pure Aero Team (2019) 100 27 300 10.58 33.30 69 302 2084 $209.00
Pure Aero Tour (2019) 100 27 333 11.75 32.60 67 331 2218 $229.00
Pure Aero VS (2020) 98 26.875 324 11.43 32.60 67 314 2036 $259.00
Pure Drive (2018) 100 27 313 11.04 33.00 69 319 2201 $219.00
Pure Drive + (2018) 100 27.5 309 10.90 32.70 68 300 2142 $219.00
Pure Drive 107 (2018) 107 27 298 10.51 33.50 66 298 2104 $199.00
Pure Drive 110 (2018) 110 27.5 279 9.84 34.40 64 286 2114 $199.00
Pure Drive Lite (2018) 100 27 284 10.02 33.90 67 285 1910 $195.00
Pure Drive Team (2018) 100 27 296 10.44 32.90 67 292 1956 $199.00
Pure Drive Tour (2018) 100 27 329 11.61 32.40 69 311 2146 $219.00
Pure Drive Tour + (2018) 100 27.5 329 11.61 32.70 70 320 2352 $219.00
Pure Drive VS 98 27 310 10.93 32.50 67 297 1950 $249.00
Pure Strike 100 at(C2PureFeel
3 o'clock) 100 27 313 11.04 33.00 69 310 2139 $219.00
Pure Strike 16x19 (C2PureFeel
at 3 o'clock) 98 27 329 11.61 33.30 67 334 2193 $219.00
Pure Strike 18x20 (C2PureFeel
at 3 o'clock) 98 26.875 324 11.43 33.40 67 330 2140 $219.00
Pure Strike Team (C2PureFeel
at 3 o'clock) 100 26.875 299 10.55 33.60 68 298 2001 $209.00
Pure Strike Tour at(C2PureFeel
3 o'clock) 98 26.875 332 11.71 32.00 66 325 2076 $219.00
Pure Strike VS (2017) 98 27 307 10.83 33.50 63 313 1932 $209.00
Pure Strike VS Tour (2017) 98 27 331 11.68 32.30 63 319 1970 $209.00
Strike Evo 102 27 295 10.41 32.90 63 297 1909 $159.00
Battistone Radical MP (Graphene 360) 98 27 317 11.18 33.10 68 329 2192 $250.00
Diamond 105 27.5 331 11.68 31.50 -- -- -- $220.00
Freestyle 105 27.5 -- -- -- -- -- -- $220.00
Blackburne Radical PWR (16x19)
Double Strung 107 107 27 292 10.30 36.75 68 341 2481 $199.00
Diadem Speed Lite (Graphene 360+) 100 27 275 9.70 35.20 64 296 1894 $225.00
Elevate FS 98 27 319 11.25 32.60 59 310 1792 $219.95
Elevate Tour FS 98 27 327 11.53 32.50 60 317 1864 $219.95
Nova + FS 100 27.375 314 11.08 34.00 67 328 2280 $219.95
Nova FS 100 27 309 10.90 32.70 66 300 1980 $219.95
Nova Lite FS 100 27 298 10.51 33.60 66 304 2006 $219.95
Donnay Pacific
Allwood (285 grams) 102 27 306 10.79 33.10 53 293 1584 $199.00
Allwood (300 grams) 102 27 320 11.29 32.50 54 300 1652 $199.00
Formula Hexacore (275 grams) 100 27 293 10.34 34.20 61 295 1800 $199.00
Formula Hexacore (300 grams) 100 27 320 11.29 33.30 63 315 1985 $199.00
Penta 99 Gold 99 27 330 11.64 32.10 58 303 1740 $199.00
Penta 99 Silver 99 27 321 11.32 32.90 58 301 1728 $199.00
Pro One Hexacore (16x19) 97 27 329 11.61 33.20 61 324 1917 $199.00
Pro One Hexacore (18x20) 97 27 327 11.53 32.80 61 317 1876 $199.00
TriCore 114 114 27 284 10.02 35.80 68 296 2295 $199.00
Dunlop X Tour Pro 97 BXT 97 27 327 11.53 32.80 66 301 1927 $229.00
CX 200 98 27 322 11.36 32.80 63 316 1951 $219.00
CX 200 + 98 27.5 326 11.50 33.80 63 340 2204 $219.00
CX 200 LS 98 27 304 10.72 34.10 64 310 1944 $199.00
CX 200 Tour 16x19 95 27 329 11.61 32.50 63 316 1891 $219.00
CX 200 Tour 18x20 95 27 332 11.71 32.20 63 321 1921 $219.00
CX 400 100 27 306 10.79 33.90 69 308 2125 $199.00
Revo CS 10.0 115 27.625 279 9.84 37.50 78 318 3031 $229.00
Revo CS 8.0 110 27.75 274 9.67 36.80 78 313 2887 $229.00
Revo CV 3.0 F 100 27 315 11.11 32.50 66 304 2006 $199.00
Revo CV 3.0 F LS 100 27 301 10.62 33.40 68 297 2020 $199.00
Revo CV 3.0 F Tour 100 27 318 11.22 33.80 68 326 2217 $199.00
SX 300 100 27 318 11.22 32.90 63 321 2022 $199.00
SX 300 Lite 100 27 287 10.12 33.80 65 296 1924 $179.00
SX 300 LS 100 27 303 10.69 33.60 67 309 2070 $179.00
SX 300 Tour 100 27 326 11.50 32.50 61 328 2001 $199.00
SX 600 105 27.375 286 10.09 34.70 64 313 2182 $179.00
Fox O3 Phantom 100X &(Textreme ATS)
Dynamite (Bosworth at Throat) 95 27 357 12.59 31.40 74 337 2369 $150.00
26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
Indicates racquets
new on the market
Head Swing
Racquet size Length Weight Weight Balance Flex weight Power Retail
(in2) (in) (gm) (oz) (cm) (RDC) (kg x Formula Price
cm2)
Dynamite Plus (HST 105) 105 27 271 9.56 36.80 62 314 2044 $150.00
Evolution 2.2 100 27 327 11.53 31.00 60 302 1812 $150.00
Pro Class 1.9 110 27 347 12.24 32.00 60 323 2132 $140.00
SAR Plus 112 27 316 11.15 33.50 59 324 2141 $150.00
Target (HST 97) 97 27 278 9.81 35.90 67 314 2041 $170.00
Target 210 (Bosworth at Throat) 90 27 350 12.35 31.80 73 323 2122 $120.00
Target Plus (HST 110) 110 27 293 10.34 35.20 64 321 2260 $170.00
Gamma
RZR Bubba 117 117 27.25 262 9.24 36.40 60 310 2231 $214.95
RZR Bubba 137 137 29 297 10.48 38.90 64 405 4261 $219.99
Head
Extreme Lite (Graphene 360) 100 27 279 9.84 35.50 60 313 1878 $190.00
Extreme MP (Graphene 360) 100 27 321 11.32 34.00 62 339 2102 $180.00
Extreme Pro (Graphene 360) 100 27 328 11.57 32.80 62 332 2058 $170.00
Graphene 360+ Gravity Lite 104 27 287 10.12 34.10 60 287 1791 $210.00
Graphene 360+ Gravity MP 100 27 316 11.15 33.80 62 316 1959 $250.00
Graphene 360+ Gravity MP Lite 100 27 300 10.58 34.00 63 304 1915 $235.00
Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro 100 27 332 11.71 32.70 63 325 2048 $260.00
Graphene 360+ Gravity S 104 27 296 10.44 33.50 62 292 1883 $225.00
Graphene 360+ Gravity Tour 100 27 320 11.29 33.10 61 322 1964 $260.00
Graphene Laser MP 102 27 268 9.45 35.50 69 288 2027 $120.00
Graphene Laser OS 110 26.875 261 9.21 36.10 66 298 2136 $120.00
Instinct Lite (Graphene 360) 107 27 282 9.95 35.10 60 309 1984 $210.00
Instinct MP (Graphene 360) 100 27 315 11.11 33.00 63 317 1997 $225.00
Instinct PWR (Graphene 360) 115 27.5 256 9.03 38.40 69 321 2674 $200.00
Instinct S (Graphene 360) 100 27 301 10.62 33.40 63 307 1934 $210.00
Prestige Mid (Graphene 360+) 93 26.875 334 11.78 32.00 63 320 1851 $260.00
Prestige MP (Graphene 360+) 98 26.875 328 11.57 31.80 58 309 1734 $260.00
Prestige Pro (Graphene 360+) 95 27 334 11.78 32.70 65 331 2044 $260.00
Prestige Tour (Graphene 360+) 99 26.875 319 11.25 33.10 64 318 1990 $260.00
Radical Pro (Graphene 360) 98 27 327 11.53 32.20 67 314 2062 $260.00
(Graphene 360)
Radical PWR (14x19) 110 27.375 282 9.95 35.00 67 309 2363 $225.00
(Graphene 360)
110 27.375 282 9.95 35.00 67 309 2363 $225.00
Radical S (Graphene 360) 102 27 299 10.55 33.10 62 306 1935 $235.00
Speed MP (Graphene 360+) 100 27 315 11.11 33.20 62 321 1990 $260.00
Speed MP Lite (Graphene 360+) 100 27 291 10.26 34.30 63 309 1947 $250.00
Speed Pro (Graphene 360+) 100 27 329 11.61 33.00 64 333 2131 $275.00
Speed PWR (Graphene 360+) 115 27.375 269 9.49 35.50 67 305 2438 $225.00
Speed S (Graphene 360+) 100 27 292 10.30 32.80 67 291 1950 $235.00
Nexus 102 BXT 102 27.5 272 9.59 35.00 63 295 1990 $240.00
Nexus BXT 118 27.5 245 8.64 37.80 66 300 2453 $239.95
Raptor BXT 102 27 303 10.69 33.80 69 302 2125 $179.95
X Fast LT BX2 100 27.35 302 10.65 33.50 64 304 2014 $240.00
X Fast Pro BXT 100 27 315 11.11 33.40 69 313 2160 $209.95
X Fast ULT BXT 100 27 276 9.74 35.20 61 300 1830 $220.00
X FORCE PRO 295 98 27 310 10.93 33.00 65 307 1956 $179.95
X FORCE PRO 320 98 27 335 11.82 32.20 65 314 2000 $179.95
X Force PRO No.1 98 27 317 11.18 32.80 63 301 1858 $179.95
Power Angle
Ace of Diamonds 98 27 345 12.17 32.90 65 313 1994 $199.00
Centric 102 27 291 10.26 36.00 75 333 2547 $199.00
Grand 115 27 258 9.10 37.30 78 301 2700 $199.00
Pro 98 27 327 11.53 33.50 69 325 2198 $199.00
Prince
Beast 100 (265) in(Textreme
throat) 100 27 276 9.74 35.30 65 308 2002 $189.00
Beast 100 (300) in(Textreme
throat) 100 27 318 11.22 32.90 67 324 2171 $189.00
Beast 98 (305) in(Textreme
throat) 98 27 323 11.39 32.00 61 315 1883 $189.00
Beast O3 100 (300) in(Textremethroat) 100 27 317 11.18 33.20 68 314 2135 $189.00
Beast O3 104 (Textreme
in throat) 104 27 300 10.58 34.80 66 318 2183 $189.00
Beast O3 98 (Textreme
in throat) 98 27 314 11.08 33.30 65 325 2070 $189.00
Beast Pro 100 LB in(Textreme
throat) 100 27.5 336 11.85 32.80 65 346 2361 $189.00
O3 Legacy 105 &(Textreme
ATS) 105 27.25 294 10.37 34.60 63 319 2163 $189.00
O3 Legacy 110 &(Textreme
ATS) 110 27.25 287 10.12 35.50 69 322 2505 $189.00
O3 Legacy 120 &(Textreme
ATS) 120 27.125 284 10.02 36.00 70 323 2747 $189.00
100 27 320 11.29 32.20 59 316 1864 $199.00
Phantom 100P &(TextremeATS) 100 27 320 11.29 32.60 59 321 1894 $199.00
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 Head Swing
Racquet size Length Weight Weight Balance Flex weight Power Retail
(in2) (in) (gm) (oz) (cm) (RDC) (kg x Formula Price
cm2)
Phantom 100X 18x20 &(TextremeATS) 100 27 332 11.71 31.20 56 316 1770 $199.00
Phantom 100X 290 &(Textreme
ATS) 100 27 303 10.69 32.90 57 313 1784 $199.00
Phantom 100X 305 &(Textreme
ATS) 100 27 320 11.29 32.30 57 319 1818 $199.00
Phantom 93P 14x18 &(Textreme
ATS) 93 27 333 11.75 32.10 58 323 1742 $199.00
Phantom 93P 18x20 &(TextremeATS) 93 27 346 12.20 31.40 56 329 1713 $199.00
Phantom 97P &(Textreme
ATS) 97 27.125 333 11.75 31.70 61 318 1905 $199.00
Tour 100 (290) Textreme 100 27 304 10.72 33.90 63 318 2003 $189.00
Tour 100 (310) Textreme 100 27 317 11.18 32.20 63 306 1928 $189.00
Tour 100L Textreme 100 27 283 9.98 34.20 65 312 2028 $189.00
Tour 100P Textreme 100 27 319 11.25 32.30 66 308 2033 $189.00
Tour 95 Textreme 95 27 328 11.57 32.20 62 323 1902 $189.00
Snauwaert Blade 100L (version 7.0) 100 27.125 306 10.79 34.50 69 321 2243 $199.00
Grinta 100 (285) 100 27 305 10.76 34.60 65 322 2093 $195.00
Grinta 100 (305) 100 27 332 11.71 32.50 64 325 2080 $195.00
Grinta 98 (290) 98 27 312 11.01 34.10 61 324 1937 $195.00
Grinta 98 (315) 98 27 336 11.85 31.50 60 315 1852 $195.00
Grinta 98 Tour (290) 98 27 308 10.86 34.20 59 325 1879 $195.00
Grinta 98 Tour (310) 98 27 325 11.46 32.70 59 316 1827 $195.00
Vitas 100 (280) 100 27 295 10.41 35.00 70 315 2205 $195.00
Vitas 100 (300) 100 27 318 11.22 32.90 68 315 2142 $195.00
Vitas 105 (267) 105 27.25 284 10.02 33.10 63 306 2075 $195.00
Vitas 105 (285) 105 27.25 309 10.90 33.50 60 324 2092 $195.00
Vitas 110 (270g) 110 26.875 277 9.77 34.20 64 294 2044 $195.00
Vitas 115 (260g) 115 26.875 269 9.49 36.60 66 304 2279 $195.00
Solinco Clash 108 (version 1.0) 108 27.25 299 10.55 34.90 58 316 2029 $219.00
Pro 10 98 27 344 12.13 33.00 72 353 2491 $179.99
Pro 10 Xtend 98 27.25 343 12.10 33.10 70 334 2349 $179.99
Pro 7 98 27 300 10.58 34.15 70 307 2106 $179.99
Pro 8 98 27 317 11.18 32.70 69 311 2103 $179.99
Shadow 100 (260) 100 27 266 9.38 34.10 55 278 1529 $189.99
Shadow 100 (285) 100 27 294 10.37 33.60 61 296 1806 $189.99
Shadow 100 (305) 100 27 327 11.53 32.00 61 321 1958 $189.99
Shadow 98 (285) 98 27 300 10.58 33.20 58 303 1722 $189.99
Shadow 98 (305) 98 27 323 11.39 32.90 56 325 1784 $189.99
Tour 10 98 27 342 12.06 31.60 72 310 2187 $179.99
Tour 10 xtend 98 27.5 338 11.92 32.00 66 340 2309 $179.99
Tour 7 98 27 300 10.58 32.20 70 290 1989 $179.99
Tour 8 98 27 327 11.53 31.00 67 297 1950 $179.99
Tecnifibre Ultra 108 (version 3.0) 108 27.125 282 9.95 33.90 68 300 2231 $189.00
T Fight 280 XTC 100 27 297 10.48 34.20 69 313 2160 $249.95
T Fight 295 XTC 100 27 310 10.93 33.40 70 317 2219 $249.95
T Fight 300 XTC 100 27 314 11.08 33.00 69 318 2194 $249.95
T Fight 305 XTC 98 27 320 11.29 33.30 64 328 2057 $249.95
T Fight 315 XTC 98 27 332 11.71 31.80 68 320 2132 $249.95
T Fight 320 XTC 98 27 338 11.92 31.90 69 320 2164 $249.95
T Flash 270 (CES Section) 100 27 291 10.26 34.50 71 298 2116 $249.95
T Flash 285 (CES Section) 100 27 308 10.86 34.00 72 304 2189 $249.95
T Flash 300 (CES Section) 100 27 325 11.46 33.00 72 312 2246 $249.95
T Rebound 260 at(TempoSystem
Throat) 105 26.625 275 9.70 33.80 65 277 1820 $239.95
(TempoSystem
T Rebound 270 at Throat) 100 26.625 283 9.98 34.00 68 286 1872 $239.95
T Rebound 285 at(TempoSystem
Throat) 100 26.5 301 10.62 33.20 67 294 1871 $239.95
TF 40 305 (18x20) 98 27 326 11.50 33.00 63 308 1902 $249.95
TF 40 315 (18x20) 98 27 343 12.10 31.90 65 314 2000 $249.95
Vantage EZONE 25 (Deep Blue) 102 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $150.00
BC20 95 27 328 11.57 31.10 50 292 1387 $199.00
BC30 100 27 326 11.50 33.30 47 235 1105 $209.00
BC40 105 27 320 11.29 33.20 49 306 1574 $219.00
Volkl
C10 Pro (Yellow/Black) 98 27 352 12.42 31.40 64 329 2063 $230.00
Team Speed 102 27 275 9.70 33.50 64 278 1815 $130.00
V Cell 4 105 27.5 288 10.16 33.70 68 299 2242 $270.00
V Cell 6 100 27 289 10.19 33.80 69 297 2049 $260.00
V Cell 8 (285g) 100 27 297 10.48 33.20 70 298 2086 $260.00
V Cell 8 (300g) 100 27 311 10.97 32.80 64 306 1958 $260.00
V Cell 8 (315g) 100 27 322 11.36 32.10 66 303 2000 $260.00
V Cell 9 100 27 323 11.39 32.50 70 304 2128 $260.00
V Feel 1 115 27.8 272 9.59 36.20 71 309 2725 $330.00
V Feel 10 (300 gm) 98 27 310 10.93 33.50 69 295 1995 $260.00
V Feel 10 (320 gm) 98 27 331 11.68 32.50 67 317 2081 $260.00
V Feel 2 115 27.6 281 9.91 35.80 68 322 2669 $300.00
V Feel 3 110 27.75 288 10.16 35.20 69 318 2595 $270.00
V Feel 5 100 27 269 9.49 34.20 68 281 1911 $200.00
V Feel 7 104 27.375 312 11.01 34.20 73 316 2489 $230.00
V Feel V1 MP 102 27 302 10.65 33.10 68 296 2053 $280.00
V Feel V1 OS 110 27.6 302 10.65 34.00 68 314 2490 $280.00
V Feel V1 Pro 99.5 27 313 11.04 33.30 70 309 2152 $280.00
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Head Swing
Racquet size Length Weight Weight Balance Flex weight Power Retail
(in2) (in) (gm) (oz) (cm) (RDC) (kg x Formula Price
cm2)
V Sense 10 Mid 96 27 326 11.50 32.80 66 318 2015 $230.00
V Sense 10 Tour 98 27 325 11.46 33.00 67 320 2101 $230.00
V1 Classic (2019) 102 27 300 10.58 34.20 70 317 2263 $230.00
V8 Pro 100 27 321 11.32 32.50 67 304 2037 $260.00
Weed
125 EX 125 27.5 269 9.49 36.25 69 311 2816 $250.00
EXT 125 Tour 125 28.5 265 9.35 36.00 64 331 3045 $250.00
EXT 135 Blue 135 28.25 280 9.88 37.00 64 338 3285 $250.00
EXT Tour 135 28.25 263 9.28 37.00 60 322 2934 $250.00
Open 135 Tour 135 27.75 265 9.35 36.20 60 305 2656 $250.00
Wilson
Blade 104 (version 7.0) 104 27.5 306 10.79 33.00 55 302 1814 $219.00
Blade 98 16x19 (version 7.0) 98 27 323 11.39 33.50 61 322 1925 $219.00
Blade 98 18x20 (version 7.0) 98 27 323 11.39 32.80 57 315 1760 $219.00
Blade Team (version 7.0) 99 27 296 10.44 33.70 72 299 2131 $120.00
Burn 100 (version 2.0) 100 27 316 11.15 33.00 68 304 2067 $199.00
Burn 100 LS (version 2.0) 100 27 297 10.48 33.90 67 301 2017 $199.00
Burn 100 S (version 2.0) 100 27 314 11.08 33.00 67 297 1990 $199.00
Burn 100 ULS (version 2.0) 100 27 277 9.77 34.00 62 278 1724 $199.00
Clash 100 (version 1.0) 100 27 306 10.79 32.80 53 315 1670 $250.00
Clash 100 Tour (version 1.0) 100 27 328 11.57 32.00 53 326 1728 $250.00
Clash 100L (version 1.0) 100 27.125 299 10.55 32.50 53 294 1578 $219.00
Clash 100UL (version 1.0) 100 27 283 9.98 33.60 58 286 1659 $199.00
Clash 98 (version 1.0) 98 27 326 11.50 31.70 55 308 1660 $249.00
Pro Staff 97 (version 11.0) 97 27 333 11.75 32.30 66 321 2055 $220.00
Pro Staff 97L (Countervail) 97 27 305 10.76 33.60 69 311 2082 $220.00
Pro Staff 97LS (version 11.0) 97 27 308 10.86 33.20 70 299 2030 $220.00
Pro Staff 97S (version 11.0) 97 27 322 11.36 33.30 68 313 2065 $220.00
Pro Staff RF97 (version 11.0) 97 27 352 12.42 31.90 68 326 2150 $250.00
Triad Five 103 27.5 281 9.91 36.50 33 315 1124 $200.00
Triad Three 113 27.7 273 9.63 37.50 32 318 1230 $200.00
Triad XP 3 113 27.5 278 9.81 36.10 35 313 1300 $250.00
Triad XP 5 103 27.25 286 10.09 36.00 47 322 1598 $240.00
Ultra 100 (version 3.0) 100 27 312 11.01 33.00 70 311 2177 $199.00
Ultra 100L (version 3.0) 100 27 288 10.16 32.30 64 284 1818 $189.00
Ultra 100UL (version 3.0) 100 27 275 9.70 33.50 65 283 1840 $179.00
Ultra Pro (version 3.0) 97 26.875 322 11.36 32.10 60 306 1759 $249.00
Ultra XP 100 LS 100 27.25 296 10.44 36.50 73 337 2522 $299.00
Ultra XP 100 S 100 27.25 285 10.05 35.70 70 317 2274 $299.00
Ultra XP 110 S 110 27.5 278 9.81 36.20 73 318 2681 $299.00
Ultra XP 125 125 27.5 284 10.02 35.00 72 310 2930 $299.00
XP 1 110 27.5 281 9.91 36.20 75 320 2772 $250.00
Yonex
ASTREL 105 105 27 284 10.02 34.00 66 300 2079 $345.00
ASTREL 115 115 27.25 275 9.70 35.80 64 311 2346 $345.00
EZONE 100 (Deep Blue) 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $290.00
EZONE 100L (Deep Blue) 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $275.00
EZONE 100SL (Deep Blue) 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $260.00
EZONE 105 (Deep Blue) 105 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $260.00
EZONE 108 (Deep Blue) 108 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $240.00
EZONE 26 (Deep Blue) 102 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $150.00
EZONE 98 (Deep Blue) 98 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $290.00
EZONE 98L (Deep Blue) 98 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $275.00
EZONE ACE (Deep Blue) 102 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $140.00
EZONE FEEL (Deep Blue) 102 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $200.00
EZONE GAME (Deep Blue) 98 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $230.00
VCORE 100 (G) 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $290.00
VCORE 100 (LG) 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $290.00
VCORE 100+ 100 27.5 321 11.32 33.60 68 332 2370 $290.00
VCORE 25 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $150.00
VCORE 26 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $150.00
VCORE 95 95 27 331 11.68 32.30 62 306 1802 $290.00
VCORE 98 (G) 98 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $290.00
VCORE 98 (LG) 98 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $290.00
VCORE 98+ 98 27.5 324 11.43 33.30 65 323 2160 $290.00
VCORE GAME 100 27 284 10.02 33.90 64 280 1792 $230.00
VCORE PRO 100 (G) (Matte Green) 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $315.00
VCORE PRO 100 (LG) (Matte Green) 100 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $315.00
VCORE PRO 97 (G) (Matte Green) 97 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $315.00
VCORE PRO 97 (HG) (Matte Green) 97 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $315.00
VCORE PRO 97 HD (Matte Green) 97 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $315.00
NOTE: Yonex was unable to submit racquets for testing in time for our publication date.
May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27
 PICKLEBALL
2020
Inside
COURT CONSTRUCTION
the Lines
Creating spaces for pickleball
on existing tennis courts can
help facilities gauge interest in
the shorter-court sport.
By Mary Helen Sprecher
Pickleball growth continues to surge
around the U.S., and the push on club
owners and tennis directors to create
additional playing space isn’t let-
ting up. Since pickleball is driven by
racquet sports enthusiasts who simply
want to stay on a court, it behooves
clubs to carve out more times, as well
as more places, to play the game.
While it is possible to add perma-
nent pickleball courts—and many
clubs already have—a better avenue to
start may be to simply add pickleball
lines to one or more existing tennis
courts. In addition to being far less
expensive and time-consuming, it
allows courts to continue to be used
for both sports, and will allow club
management to gauge interest in pick-
leball, with a view to possibly building
more facilities in the future.
Two important notes before you
28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
move forward: First, the rules of
tennis state that only tennis lines
may appear on courts being used for
sanctioned play. If club courts are
being used for sanctioned play, it may
still be possible to add pickleball lines;
decide how many courts can have the
additional lines, and how many need
to be maintained for tennis play only.
(Information on court layout is found
later in this article.)
Second, if lines are to be added,
contact an experienced tennis court
contractor who can apply them. Do
not attempt to apply tape of any kind
to the courts to delineate playing spac-
es. In addition to being unattractive,
and almost always crooked, tape can
bond with the playing surface. Over
time, it will be impossible to remove it
without causing damage to the court
and necessitating a total resurfacing
One, two or four pickleball
courts are possible in the
space of one tennis court.
job—which costs far more than having
the courts professionally lined in the
first place.
Growing Business for Builders
The demand for adding pickleball
lines to existing tennis courts is keep-
ing court contractors busy.
“I installed 32 sets of pickleball
lines last year and all were on existing
tennis courts,” says Certified Tennis
Court Builder (CTCB) Matt Hale of
Halecon Inc. in Bridgewater, N.J. “It is
a fairly simple process if the contactor
has experience line striping. All cases
either used existing tennis nets for
pickleball or had their own portable
net systems. No new concrete net-post
footings were installed,” so no con-
struction was needed.
A tennis court is significantly larger
than a pickleball court: 36 by 78 feet
(the space within the doubles playing
lines) and 60 by 120 feet (the playing
area plus the recommended area out-
side the lines). A pickleball court mea-
sures 20 by 44 feet (the area inside the
playing lines), with a total minimum
recommended playing area of 30 by
60 feet. The playing lines are also sig-
nificantly different from tennis.
Tennis court contractors note that,
to help players visually identify the
court boundaries, pickleball lines on
a tennis court should be a color other
than white—the standard color for
tennis lines—and be thinner (tennis
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 court lines must be at least 2 inches
P H O T O C O U RT E SY F R E D KO L K M A N N T E N N I S & S P O RT S U R FA C E S
wide, with the baseline up to 4 inches
wide). If the tennis courts already
have extra lines for youth play (also
known as 36-foot and 60-foot courts),
ascertain that the pickleball lines are
easily distinguishable from these.
(In addition, check with the USTA
national office and/or your USTA sec-
tion office for suggestions and possible
grants or other resources available to
help line tennis courts for pickleball.)
Pickleball Court Layouts
Fitting pickleball onto existing ten-
nis courts is possible, and multiple
layouts may be used. One, two or four
pickleball courts are possible using a
one-court space. Courts are laid out
so that the baseline of each pickleball
court is parallel to the tennis net.
Because pickleball is often played as
www.tennisindustrymag.com
doubles, a two-court layout could
accommodate eight players (and a
four-court layout could accommodate
16 players), allowing clubs to maxi-
mize their playing opportunities.
“We've converted a single tennis
court in a park district to four pick-
leball courts,” notes Fred Kolkmann,
CTCB, of Fred Kolkmann Tennis &
Sport Surfaces in Grafton, Wis. “We
left the tennis net posts in (the court
was only one year old) and the park
district is using the tennis net as a
divider fence for the new pickleball
courts. This avoided having to pay for
a new divider fence, and we also didn't
damage the court, since we didn’t pull
the old footings.”
One important point: Use of the
four-court layout causes significant
overrun on either side of the tennis
court and generally works best on
a single court, where there are no
obstacles that might present hazards
to players. Discuss the issue with your
court contractor to make sure there
are safe clearances for all court users.
Using pop-up pickleball nets (avail-
able from a number of vendors) will
allow for easy set-up of pickleball play.
Nets can be taken down and stored
while courts are used for tennis.
Those who want tennis courts to
host only one pickleball court can use
their existing net, with some modifi-
cations. A pickleball net is 36 inches
high at the sidelines and 34 inches at
the center. A tennis net is 42 inches at
the posts and 36 inches at the center.
It’s not a tremendous difference, and
beginners may not notice; however,
just as with tennis, more competitive
players want to play on courts that
adhere to regulations.
May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 29
 PICKLEBALL
2020
The demand for adding pickleball lines to existing tennis courts
is keeping court contractors busy.
The industry is finding innovative
ways around this.
“On tennis courts where the pick-
leball court is laid out in the same
direction and it shares the tennis net,
obviously the net will be at the wrong
height for pickleball,” says Kolkmann.
“One of the things we have done is to
install center tie-downs at the loca-
tions where the pickleball posts would
normally be and then use center
tie-down straps to lower the net to the
correct height.
“The pickleball center tie-down
strap is set to the correct height and
only needs to be snapped into the
center tie-down for pickleball play
or unclipped for tennis. This way
either sport will have the correct net
height with minimum work to raise
or lower the net. The new tie-downs
are placed 2-and-a-half feet inside the
30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
singles line of the tennis court.”
Accommodating Play
Adding pickleball lines can be done
almost any time, but often, clubs will
have them put on during their annual
shutdown time, which is when other
maintenance tasks are also carried
out. It may be helpful to ask your court
contractor to evaluate the playing
surface in advance, in case more in-
depth work is needed.
“The actual condition of each indi-
vidual court will determine if a resur-
facing is needed or not,” says Michael
Robinson, CTCB, of Talbot Tennis in
Marietta, Ga.
Once the pickleball courts are up
and running, it will be up to the club to
create play schedules that are accom-
modating to all players. Can tennis
and pickleball be played at the same
Adding net strap tie-downs
inside the tennis singles lines
allows the net to be at the
proper height for pickleball.
time on adjacent courts? It depends
on the player population, as well as
the facility itself. Meet with players
and allow them to watch each other’s
sports in action.
If courts are outside and wind is
often a factor, players of both sports
may be annoyed by balls blown onto
their courts. Pickleballs, being lighter,
are more easily carried by wind and
more likely to be the ones making un-
scheduled landings on other courts. If
there are any misunderstandings, try
to mediate both sets of players, taking
the approach that more court usage is
better for the club overall.
Last but not least, host the occa-
sional racquet and paddle sport social
so that players can see demos not just
of tennis and pickleball, but other
court programs such as Cardio Tennis,
POP Tennis and 36/60-foot court play.
You may find it helps to break down
barriers, and additionally, it might al-
low for some cross-pollination among
P H O T O C O U RT E SY F R E D KO L K M A N N T E N N I S & S P O RT S U R FA C E S
user groups. •
For those seeking more information on
pickleball courts, including their design
and construction, the American Sports
Builders Association (ASBA) offers
the publication “Pickleball Courts:
Construction & Maintenance Manual”
on its website, www.sportsbuilders.
org. It can be ordered in either a hard
copy, or as a downloadable PDF. The
manual was written with assistance
from the USA Pickleball Association,
the national governing body.
Information on the construction and
design of tennis courts can be found in
the ASBA/USTA publication “Tennis
Courts: Construction and Maintenance
Manual,” also available from the ASBA
at www.sportsbuilders.org.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
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 Selling for Success
FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Social Studies
Communication and social style
are keys to creating profitable
customer relationships.
By Greg Lappin
I
define any interaction with
a customer as a “moment of
truth.” This includes interac-
tions with a staff member, or
any interaction within the
club. Even if you think that interaction
is relatively minor, it could make or
break the customer relationship.
For instance, if a member brings a
guest to the facility, how does the front
desk staff treat that guest? Does a staff
member come across as pleasant or
impatient when dealing with mem-
bers? How clean is the locker room?
Are the courts clean? Is there debris in
the parking lot?
The most powerful moment of truth
is the interaction with staff. One key to
32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
great customer relationships is to make
sure staff communicate well with mem-
bers and clients. This involves three
elements: the tone of voice, the words
used and the projected non-verbal cues
(body language).
The Spoken Word
Regarding the tone of voice, ensure that
when your staff speaks, they have good
inflection and project enthusiasm.
Be aware of the speed and volume of
speech.
Also, be aware of the words used. Try
to eliminate unnecessary and vague
words and phrases such as, “you know,”
“like,” “things like that,” “um,” “that
sort of thing.” Choose words carefully
The first minute or two of a
new relationship—whether
business or personal—are
critical. Body language
plays a dominant role.
to make them powerful. When teach-
ing lessons, speak succinctly and with
clarity. A professional should have their
stable of well-crafted favorite phrases
and teaching cues.
Having self-awareness and self-man-
agement over body language is manda-
tory. Be aware of:
• Head nodding, which connotes
affirmation.
• Eye contact, which projects interest.
• Smiling, which creates a bond,
comfort and safety.
• Your handshake, which expresses
sincerity and attention to your client.
• Proximity of space—when walking
with someone, walk next to them, not
ahead of them. A teaching profession-
al must master how to create a bond
with a student during a lesson, even
when teaching from a distance.
• Dress and uniform, which indicates
that staff are professional.
• Gestures, which can express
enthusiasm.
• Posture, which conveys interest and
professionalism.
• Enthusiasm, which demonstrates
behavior that you enjoy what you do,
and indicates it will also be fun for
the customer.
First Impressions
The first minute or two of a new rela-
tionship—whether business or per-
sonal—are critical. Body language plays
a dominant role in this. This is why the
expression, “You never get a second
chance at a first impression” is so true.
Studies have indicated that people
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 A key to great customer relationships is making sure staff communicate
properly with members and clients. This involves three elements: the tone of voice,
the words used and the projected non-verbal cues (body language).

make 11 judgments about a new
acquaintance within the first seven
seconds—the “7-11 Rule.” These can
include education level, economic level,
perceived credibility, believability,
competence, honesty, trustworthiness,
level of sophistication, level of success,
and social/professional status.
According to some research, in a
first impression, communication is 80
percent nonverbal. In ongoing relation-
ships, communication is 55 percent
nonverbal, 38 percent tone and 7
percent words.
What is to be learned from this?
No matter what the exact percentage,
nonverbal communication is the most
powerful form of communication. Peo-
ple sense how likeable, competent and
dependable the teaching professional
is very quickly. Students are ascertain-
ing whether they will be treated with
respect. All of this is gleaned from the
nonverbal signals given off. This is why
good communication skills should be
taught and monitored.
program with the needs the student is
communicating.
Understanding social styles is a big
part of listening. An astute professional
must talk the language of how their stu-
dents view the world. All of us possess
all of these world views in our makeup,
but we all have a dominant theme.
Social styles deal with behaviors—not
character or integrity—and there is no
best or worst style.
Learning about social styles will help
you understand yourself better, and
will help you understand and appreci-
ate others better. It also will determine
“how” a person performs. If you can
adjust behaviors (on your part and their
part), you can increase mutual winning
relationships.
There are four major social styles,
and you should be aware of them:
• Analytical: This is task-oriented.
Analytical people are precise and
thorough and like to deal in facts.
They dislike conflict and usually are
not a “people person.”
• Drivers: These goal-oriented people
are disciplined, like control and push
for results. They may be short on
people skills.
• Amiable: These individuals are
people-oriented, friendly, accepting
and help others. They like to be liked.
• Expressive: These individuals are
idea-oriented, enthusiastic and spon-
taneous. They like to initiate relation-
ships and motivate others.
Teach to the Social Style!
Student is a Driver: He or she wants
to know how hard they will be worked
so they can utilize their time efficiently.
Give short, goal-oriented answers. Cre-
ate challenges for them, for instance,

Listening & Social Styles

The most important skill for selling is
the ability to listen. People listen with
less than 50 percent accuracy. People
remember less than 50 percent of what
they hear. It is critical to do better than
this when interacting with students
and customers.
It is of paramount importance to
understand that the essence of good
selling is to ask questions, then to listen
well to the answers. A professional
needs to listen to what the student is
saying they want from the lesson and
match the benefit(s) of their lesson and

Studies have indicated that,

when meeting someone for
the first time, people make
11 judgments within the
first seven seconds—the
so-called “7-11 Rule.”

www.tennisindustrymag.com May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33

 A tennis program will be much more successful when the staff and teaching pros
are experts at presenting themselves professionally, with excellent
communication skills, and can teach expertly to the student’s social style.
“Last lesson you kept three balls in on
our rallies; today let’s keep five in.”
Student is Analytical: They may be
somewhat introverted. Talk to them
about facts and be task-oriented.
Student is Amiable: Use feeling words
and emphasize the team environment.
Tell them how nice the staff is and how
comfortable they will be in the lesson.
Get them involved in a group. Talk
about enjoying tennis.
Student is Expressive: They like
relationships and ideas. Discuss their
future in tennis. Talk about the big
Tennis directors should
make sure all their pros and
staff are taught to master
their communication
skills, and can quickly and
accurately read clients.
34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
picture, rather than details.
Use words and answers consistent
with their social style. Understand how
they view the world and how they make
decisions. Hone your skills to sell to a
person’s personality. Notice how they
are dressed; the type of eye contact they
give you; how outgoing are they; how
engaged they are; what kinds of ques-
tions they ask. Customize your message
to their personality.
Professional Presentation
A tennis program will be much more
successful when the staff and teaching
pros are experts at presenting
themselves professionally, with excellent
communication skills, and can teach
expertly to the student’s social style.
Tennis directors should make sure all
their pros and staff are:
• Taught to master their communica-
tion skills.
• Taught to have highly-tuned emotion-
al and situational radar. They need
to be able to quickly and accurately
read their students, customers and
potential clients.
• Able to gauge how the client and/or
prospect is feeling at each stage of the
sales process.
• Able to read the body language of the
student/customer.
• Able to read the social style of the
student/customer.
• Able to teach to the social style of the
student.
Studies show that the main predic-
tor of customer loyalty is to create an
emotional connectedness with the
customer. Tune in to students with
excellent interpersonal communica-
tion skills. Teach to their sweet spot,
which is their social style. This creates
an emotional bond.
If you and your staff train for this,
you’ll see your profits and retention
numbers soar. 
Future articles in this series will
continue to provide a clear and com-
prehensive selling program for you
and your staff to help bring in players
and retain your customers.
Greg Lappin is a
highly respected
tennis and athletic
club developer, man-
ager and owner. He
has won many awards
for tennis program-
ming, club operations
and design. Greg has been a presenter
at multiple IHRSA, USPTA, PTR, ATP,
WTA, TIA and USTA conferences.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 College Tennis
USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS
Acing the Test
The USTA National Campus is scoring
top marks on the collegiate tennis scene.
By Judy Leand
S
pread across 64 acres in the
Lake Nona region of Orlan-
do, Fla., the USTA National
Campus is the largest public
tennis facility in the world,
serving all levels of play, with the college
game being a particular focus.
The USTA National Campus, which
opened in 2017, boasts 100 courts, a
50,000-square-foot LEED-certified
welcome center, a state-of-the-art pro
shop, the Racquet Bar stringing area
(where more than 13,000 racquets were
strung in 2019), an Innovation Lab and
the Net Post Grill full-service restau-
rant. Additionally, Tennis Channel now
has a permanent production presence
at the campus, enabling year-round cov-
erage of a wide variety of USTA events.
“The primary goal of the USTA
National Campus is to grow the game
36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
of tennis,” says Tim Cass, who serves
as both general manager of the USTA
National Campus and general manager
of National Campus and Collegiate Ten-
nis. “Overall, we’re focused on youth,
adult, collegiate and adaptive tennis as
well as player development.
“College tennis is extremely impor-
tant to the USTA because it represents
the aspirations and dreams for youth
ages 14 to 16. It’s the connective tissue
of staying in the game for life.”
The USTA National Campus in-
cludes a 12-court dedicated Collegiate
Center, large enough for two collegiate
matches to be played simultaneously. It
is designed specifically to accommodate
college tennis matches, with six hard
courts on each side (six singles matches
begin simultaneously), separated by
a raised central spine with seating for
1,200 fans. The Collegiate Center also
features a two-story pavilion that in-
cludes concessions and locker rooms.
Hosting College Matches
More than 400 colleges and universi-
ties from across the U.S. played at the
National Campus in 2019, and Cass
reports that 40 to 50 teams can com-
pete per day. While the National Cam-
pus closed temporarily in March due
to the coronavirus, the facility hosts a
wide variety of collegiate events such as
the USTA National Campus Collegiate
Series, Spring Break Tennis and the All-
American College Combine.
College MatchDay, which features
the country’s top tennis programs
and players and attracts a substantial
fan presence, is another element of
the Collegiate Center. College Match-
Day’s family-friendly, fun atmosphere
is designed to promote tennis in the
community and across the country. It
includes free public admission, a free
kids’ clinic, specialty food and drinks,
plus games and giveaways. The event
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y U S TA
airs nationwide on Tennis Channel.
In 2019, the National Campus hosted
the NCAA Division I Men’s & Women’s
Tennis Championships, which attracted
nearly 12,000 fans over the 10-day
event. Tennis Channel carried more
than 50 hours of the competition live.
www.tennisindustrymag.com

The National Campus is scheduled
to host the NCAA Division I Men’s &
Women’s Tennis Championships in
2021, and the Division III event in 2022.
“These programs draw advertising
and crowds, showcase college tennis
and are a motivational tool for tennis
growth across the U.S. It’s been wonder-
ful,” says Cass. “The National Campus
has also been the host site for the Oracle
ITA Summer Circuit for the past three
years, and we want to partner with ITA
coaches on other collegiate events. It’s
great that the USTA now has a physical
place for college tennis.”
Developing Players
Of course, player development is also a
keen focus at the USTA National Cam-
pus, and it hosts numerous collegiate
camps for players to train for the pros.
Just as importantly, the USTA supports
10 Professional Tennis Management
programs, and also provides education-
al workshops and seminars that walk
collegiate players through what a career
in tennis could look like.
“It’s a great platform to recruit kids
and to show them that there are numer-
ous opportunities in the sport in addi-
tion to playing as a pro, such as careers
in coaching, marketing, event planning,
tennis management, broadcasting and
finance—to name a few,” explains Cass.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
The challenge for the USTA’s colle-
giate programming centers on collabo-
ration with other tennis associations.
“The goal is to synchronize the USTA,
ITA and NCAA to align priorities and
goals and to work collectively to raise
the profile of college tennis across the
country,” says Cass. “It’s important to
help collegiate tennis thrive, and to do
this, everyone has to row the boat in the
same direction.”
To help fuel the growth of collegiate
tennis, the USTA is currently working
with the ITA to combine the NCAA Di-
vision I, II and III championships into
one giant, end-of-year celebration that
would be held at the National Campus.
“This would be unique to our sport.
We want to create one big festival by
bringing all NCAA divisions together,
and then partner with Tennis Chan-
nel to bring college tennis to a larger
audience,” Cass says. “We could perhaps
include the ITA coaches’ convention at
the same time and also run some college
recruiting activities.”
Due to existing collegiate scheduling
commitments, this initiative could not
happen before 2023, and the USTA and
ITA are now fine-tuning the proposal
for the NCAA, according to Cass.
“This celebration of our collegiate
sport could have a big impact on the
game and on collegiate tennis.” •
USTA National
Campus
Highlights
• The National Campus has 100
courts, including both hard and
green-clay tournament courts,
16 smaller courts (eight 36-foot
and eight 60-foot courts) in the
Nemours Family Zone, and six Eu-
ropean Terre Davis red clay courts.
• The facility offers 26 PlaySight Pro
SmartCourts that provide a variety
of court analytics, and 82 tourna-
ment courts that feature PlaySight
live streaming.
• Since it opened in 2017, the
National Campus has hosted more
than 675,000 total visitors,
including players, spectators and
special event participants, among
others.
• More than 15,000 fans have attended
College MatchDay events at the
USTA National Campus.
• More than 400 universities and
colleges played at the National
Campus in 2019.
• More than 600 top American and
current and aspiring pro players
have trained at the campus as part
of USTA Player Development.
May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37

EQUIPMENT
Head Lynx Tour 17
By Bob Patterson
H
ead Lynx Tour 17
is a monofilament
co-polyester with a
six-edge construc-
tion. Designed for
the harder hitting in-
termediate to advanced level player, the
manufacturer says the unique six-edge
design of this co-polyester will provide
the ultimate blend of control and spin.
The monofilament is made with a new
co-polymer mixture that Head says
increases durability while still being
comfortable to play.
While the official name is Lynx Tour,
Head has been testing the string in
some markets as the “Experimental
Tour” string since October. Lynx Tour
officially launched in March in a cham-
pagne color, but Head plans to expand
the color range in coming months.
Lynx Tour is available in 16 (1.30) and
17 (1.25) gauges, with a suggested retail
price of $20. For more information
or to order, contact Head at 800-289-
7366, or visit www.head.com.
38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
StringPlaytest
Be sure to read the conclusion for
more information about getting a free
set to try for yourself.
In the Lab
We tested the 17-gauge Lynx Tour. The
coil measured 40 feet, 5 inches. The
diameter measured 1.25-1.27 mm prior
to stringing and 1.24-1.26 mm after
stringing. We recorded a stringbed
stiffness of 79 RDC units immediately
after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson
Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a
constant-pull machine.
After 24 hours (no playing), string-
bed stiffness measured 71 RDC units,
representing a 10 percent tension loss.
Our control string, Prince Synthetic
Gut Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC
units immediately after stringing and
71 RDC units after 24 hours, represent-
ing a 9 percent tension loss. In lab
testing, Prince Synthetic Gut Original
has a stiffness of 217 and a tension loss
of 11.67 pounds, while Head Lynx Tour
17 has a stiffness of 299 and a tension
Playtester Ratings:
Ease of Stringing
(compared to other strings)
Much easier: 1
Somewhat easier: 2
About as easy: 20
Not quite as easy: 4
Not nearly as easy: 4
Overall Playability
(compared to the string played most often)
Much better: 1
Somewhat better: 4
About as playable: 8
Not quite as playable: 11
Not nearly as playable: 7
Overall Durability
(compared to other strings of similar gauge)
Much better: 9
Somewhat better: 12
About as durable: 9
Not quite as durable: 0
Not nearly as durable: 1
Rating Averages
From 1 to 5 (best)
Playability: 3.4
Durability: 4.1
Power: 3.5
Control: 3.7
Comfort: 3.2
Touch/Feel: 3.2
Spin Potential: 3.5
Holding Tension: 3.4
Resistance to Movement: 3.9
loss of 15.08 pounds. Lynx Tour 17
added 18 grams to the weight of our
unstrung frame.
The string was tested for five weeks
by 31 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP
ratings from 3.5 to 5.5. These were
blind tests, with playtesters receiving
unmarked strings in unmarked pack-
ages. The average number of hours
playtested was 24.5.
While some playtesters noted coil
memory, which is to be expected with
a co-poly monofilament, most found
the Lynx Tour easy to string, with one
tester commenting, “An ‘A’ Grade for
ease of stringing.”
No playtester broke the string
sample during stringing, seven report-
ed problems with coil memory, three
testers reported problems tying knots,
none reported friction burn, and two
testers reported other problems.
C O U RT E S Y H E A D
On the Court
When you have 31 players testing, there
were a variety of opinions on the string,
www.tennisindustrymag.com
but one thing that was unanimous was
everyone liked the golden champagne
color. Most thought the string offered
good durability and several commented
on the excellent tension maintenance.
Several also felt it would be good in a
hybrid setup.
No playtesters reported premature
fraying, peeling or buzzing during play,
and five reported notching.
Conclusion
With so many co-poly monofilament
strings on the market, many of our
testers were impressed with the overall
performance of this string, especially
its combination of comfort, durability
and tension maintenance.
If you think the Head Lynx Tour
might be for you, fill out the coupon to
get a free set to try.
Playtester Comments
“I felt the string to be very respon-
sive. During playtesting, it held its
tension well. This polyester string
1.27
mm
1.22
mm
40 ft 360 ft 720 ft
[ 16 gauge ] [ 17 gauge ]
set
www.tennisindustrymag.com
will be a top seller with big hitters
and top juniors. I hope it has an
energetic name to go with my excite-
ment of the string.” 4.5 male all-court
player using Head Instinct S strung at
52 pounds LO (Head Hawk Touch 17)
“The string played very well and
was easy to install. Good bite on the
ball so the spin capability was good.
Control and feel were also very good.
What surprised me is that I played
singles and doubles with the string
and it never broke—nor did it lose
tension. Nice!” 5.5 male all-court
player using Wilson Ultra strung at 52
pounds CP (Luxilon 4G 17)
“The string seemed to play better as
the time on court went on. The feel got
more comfortable and I liked it a lot
better.” 4.0 male all-court player using
Wilson Clash Tour strung at 55 pounds
CP (Wilson Smart String 17)
“Not my favorite string; O.K. at best.”
reel reel
5.0 male all-court player using Head
Prestige MP strung at 50/53 pounds LO
(Prince Synthetic Gut 15)
“The string did have some extra pow-
er and spin potential, but you give
up a lot of feel and comfort. I would
recommend it as a hybrid in the main
strings combined with a softer string
in the crosses.” 5.0 male serve-and-
volley player using Wilson Clash Tour
strung at 49 pounds CP (Wilson NXT
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May 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 39

SPORTS INDUSTRY
Finding Our Way Forward
We are being called upon to innovate,
show strength and lead. If we can accept
that charge, we can all move through this.
By Mary Helen Sprecher
I 
’m not an economist and I’m
not an epidemiologist. What I
am is a member of the sports
tourism industry, the industry
that puts on tournaments—
not just tennis, but lacrosse,
soccer, esports and just about anything
else people sign up for and compete in.
And there’s no doubt that coronavi-
rus is a game-changer. It is the biggest
bracket-buster, the most unexpected
spoiler and without a doubt, the most
formidable opponent the industry has
faced in our lifetime. Cities are at a loss
and restaurants and hotels are stagger-
ing. Everyone is wondering how, if ever,
they’ll get back to where they were.
But our industry is nothing if not
flexible and determined. We are, and
have always been, on the alert for new
developments—shifting technologies,
40 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2020
YourServe
problematic legal issues, threatening
weather and myriad other issues—that
force us to change our way of thinking
and to adapt. And adapt we have, through
everything from civil unrest to natural
disasters to an increased awareness of
the need to protect our athletes from
injuries and abuse.
Years ago, a road race director gave
me some of the best advice: “Be ready
to overcome obstacles.” He was talking
about the need to map out everything
in advance, to have contingency plans
and to leave nothing to chance because
inevitably, there would be unpredicted
and unexpected hiccups, things that
demanded last-minute reconnoitering.
That race director was the Boston
Athletic Association’s Dave McGillivray,
and I spoke with him in 2012. In the
spring of 2013, Dave was the man who
in minutes went from overseeing the
world’s best-loved marathon to standing
in the middle of what looked like a war
zone and working in a makeshift com-
mand center set up by the FBI.
That day, all of us in the sports tourism
and event industry felt a chill, and we
shuddered, wondering about our own
events, our own families and our own
safety. But watching Dave’s exemplary
performance, and that of his staff, we
started to feel safer.
The sports industry is strong. It is re-
silient. It is ready to overcome obstacles,
whatever they are. Like Boston, we’ll
keep finding our way forward.
All of us, at some time in our lives, are
faced with that dark time, when we find
ourselves in a place where we see no way
out and no way of having hope. And it’s
at those times when someone needs to
stand up and say, “Follow me. I know the
way.” Be that person. Panic is contagious,
but so is calm. If you lead with courage,
others will follow.
The coronavirus is something our
industry can and will face and, with time,
overcome. We’ll do it the way we have
faced everything else: by reaching out to
offer assistance, by sharing resources and
by moving forward as a united force. We
are stronger than we know, and when we
are able to put it completely behind us,
sports will be the celebration in which
everyone partakes.
Right now, we are being called upon to
innovate, to show strength and to lead.
If we can accept that charge, we can help
others move through this. It will be a
step-by-step process, as recovering from
an illness always is. And when we are
whole again, and healthy, we’ll be even
stronger. It won’t happen overnight, but
it will happen. 
Mary Helen Sprecher
is the former
managing editor of
Sports Destination
Management, the
leading business-to-
business publication
covering site selection
SHUTTERSTOCK
for sports events.
We welcome your opinions and comments.
Email info@tennisindustrymag.com.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
 May 2020

Chuck “Coach” Enge (left),

son Scott (right) and
grandson Arin (middle).

Over 50 Years With USPTA

Enge family’s extraordinary tennis journey P. 48

No Greater Cause
CEO John Embree P. 43

Track Matches For Improved Practices

Master Professional Corner with Jack Newman P. 51
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No Greater Cause
W ho agrees that the safety of a
child while under the tutelage
of a tennis-teaching professional must
be an absolute? Is there a club that
does not want to assure its members
that their professional teaching staff
has been criminally background
screened, trained to recognize the
most prevalent forms of misconduct
occurring in youth sports and
empowered to report it?
This is, without question, a hyper-
sensitive issue today. Given what
has transpired in other sports where
children have been sexually abused by
coaches who were previously trusted,
our sport has taken a stand with the
support of Congress, the United States
Olympic & Paralympic Committee and
the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, that we
will put in place the procedures and
protocols that we can be the safest
sport in America for children. While
this may be a lofty goal, it is paramount
that the USPTA fully embraces it.
For that reason, the USPTA has
agreed with the USTA that our
members should be Safe Play Approved,
meaning the member has completed
a criminal background screen,
training to recognize misconduct
and acknowledgment of the Safe Play
reporting tools and policies. This
requirement was put in place ahead of
2019 and is part of the new certification
pathway that will begin in earnest on
Jan. 1, 2021. All USPTA members – save
honorary, lifetime, retired, affiliate and
corporate members – must complete
From the CEO USPTA
John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
Safe Play by Jan. 1, 2021,
to be considered in good
standing.
We have communicated
this requirement to our
membership frequently
over the last year, so
this should not come
as any surprise. But,
the clock is ticking, and
January 2021 is only
eight months away.
If you are a full-time,
part-time or seasonal
teaching professional employed at a
club, commercial facility, parks and
recreation department, HOA or school
(elementary, middle, high school or
college), it is time to get this done.
Now, some in our membership
may not believe a non-profit trade
association can mandate this exercise.
Others will say they’ve worked at one
facility for many years and have never
had issues. Still more will say they only
work with adults or seniors, never
coming into contact with children.
They wonder: “Why should I have to do
this?” I get it.
But Safe Play is more than some
online modules and a background
check. It makes one aware of
behavioral traits that can help identify
warning signs that, if recognized, could
prevent a future tragedy. Whether you
work with children or not, everyone
benefits from this training.
The USPTA and USTA are firmly
aligned on this core principal. The USTA
May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 43
Photo credit: USPTA
fully understands the importance of this
to our sport, so it has agreed to cover the
cost for all USPTA members to complete
the Safe Play process by registering
either at netgeneration.com or usta.com/
safeplay. Do the right thing. Get this
done as soon as possible. There is no
reason to procrastinate until December!
The USPTA Board of Directors
and Executive Committee are fully
committed to seeing this initiative
through and will treat those that do
not comply just as we have treated
those that did not meet the continuing
education requirement during the last
two education cycles. Once again, let us
unite and take a stand, knowing there
is no greater cause we can embrace
than the safety of our children.
Tennis and all racquet sports will be
better off in the long run, and parents
will have confidence entrusting their
precious children to programs run
by USPTA teaching professionals.
Thank you. *
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Important Times Ahead
Trish Faulkner, USPTA Vice President
A s I move into my second term on
the USPTA National Board, it is
so exciting to witness all the growth
and changes the organization has
experienced during my 50-plus years
of being a member. However, I believe
the next two years will be maybe the
most important in our industry as
we all strive to make our profession
and our organization even bigger and
better and more highly recognized and
regarded than ever before.
It is an honor to be a small part of
the development of the new education
and certification pathway for coaches
who wish to enter our profession at all
levels – from Instructor all the way to
Master Professional, should they so
desire. USPTA members will graduate
from this pathway with a complete
understanding of their chosen
profession and with tools that will help
them both on and off the court.
Photo credit: Gustavo Reyes / USPTA
Trish Faulkner ( left) and Nelo Phiri (right) smile at the 2019 because we
World Conference in Las Vegas.
Vice President’s Message USPTA
For many years I chaired or served
on the Diversity and Inclusion
Committee. D&I means that the
USPTA aspires to have a diverse
membership, and also one that
embraces different cultures and
communities. We have worked hard
to encourage women to become part
of the USPTA family. So many young
women are now getting certified and
progressing in their careers. Many
of these women and men have fast-
tracked to Head Professional and
Tennis Director positions within
five years of joining the USPTA. This
type of career movement has been
greatly influenced by the availability
and growth of Professional Tennis
Management programs, better access
to incredible online educational tools,
streamlined testing and our mentoring
programs. Plus, we have done a good
job of marketing and promoting
the USPTA and
teaching tennis
as a wonderful
career.
Our newest
goal on D&I is
to reach out to
African American,
Hispanic, Asian
American,
LGBTQ+,
handicapped
and other
communities,
understand that
May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 47
we can’t expect them to come to us.
Our Diversity & Inclusion Committee
will be proactive. This has already
begun. Earlier this year, we reached
out to people in these communities
and gained important feedback that
is helping us change our internal and
external approach to making changes
to be a more inclusive association.
We have also been working with
the Female Coaches Network, an
international multi-sport female
coaching organization, as well as the
Women’s Tennis Coaches Association,
which concentrates on helping coaches
understand how to teach tennis to
young females around the world.
We established task forces to develop
unique approaches to growing the
game of tennis in their communities.
Our team consists of 15 members, each
with their own background, perspective
and story. Our goal is to attempt to
incorporate each group into our lineup
of speakers at the World Conference
in New Orleans this September. I was
so proud of the speakers we had in Las
Vegas, and we can’t wait to build on
that in a few months.
However, we cannot ignore the
effect the coronavirus has had on all
our lives. At the time of this writing,
it’s impossible to know how long this
uncertainty will last. If you are able
to continue working, please exercise
necessary precautions to ensure your
own safety and that of your students.
Even still, these are exciting times
for the USPTA. We are working closely
with the USTA to develop programs
and regulations beneficial to both
organizations. You have a strong,
committed Board of Directors and a
dedicated National Staff, all of whom
are working for you.
We will continue to drive our
evolution as an association, but to
succeed, we all must take ownership
of this goal. If we do, we will secure a
bright future for the USPTA and the
game of tennis.*
 USPTA
For Enge Family,
Coaching is for Life
Lucas Casás, USPTA Communications
C huck Enge remembers the
first comment he ever made to
his tennis players as head coach at
Riverside Brookfield High School in
Illinois.
“If you don’t play summer tennis,
you’re not going to be on the team
next year,” Enge warned. “Keep that
in mind.”
Five rising seniors decided to test
the first-year coach. When spring
came, he asked them, “Did you play
summer tennis?”
“No.”
“‘Goodbye.’ I kicked them off the
team. They complained: ‘We’re
the best players!’ I said, ‘Yeah, but
you’re not willing to work at it,’” said
Enge, a 55-year USPTA member.
“So I brought up freshman and
sophomores and in three years we
had a championship team.”
Photo courtesy of Scott Enge
Scott Enge ( left), wife Sandy (right) and son Arin (middle) at one of Arin’s matches at
the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
48 - ADDvantage Magazine — May 2020
It’s been more than 50 years since
he followed through on that promise.
His career of half a century earned
Enge a spot in the Illinois High
School Tennis Coaches Association
Hall of Fame. But more — it started
a ripple that has touched countless
lives and spanned three generations
with the USPTA.
And it earned him a fitting
unofficial moniker: Coach.
For the players that did play
summer tennis, making the team
wasn’t their only reward. To escape
the Chicago cold, each spring break,
Coach would rent a Winnebago
and, with their parents’ permission,
take his boys’ or girls’ teams on a
tour of colleges around the country.
Forty-five times, he took his teams
to Florida, Texas, California and
everywhere in between. Sometimes,
in August, they’d tour the Midwest.
Two practices a day and plenty of fun.
Coach always made a point to treat
his players like family. For decades,
he has run his own tennis business,
hiring college players as assistants.
One day, an assistant from Argentina
was having dinner at their home and
told Coach he was enjoying himself.
“How so?” Coach asked.
“No cell phones at dinner,” he
responded. “We talk the whole time!”
Our fun thing
It should come as no surprise, then,
that after a childhood surrounded by
tennis, Coach’s son, Scott, followed
his father’s footsteps.
Scott played collegiately at
Emporia State in Kansas. After
college, he taught in public schools
and became a head coach, winning
three Kansas state high school
championships in 25 years. He has
been named USPTA High School
Coach of the Year twice in his 31
years as a USPTA member.
But he remembered a comment
his father made to a friend one day,
and it ushered him into an early,
if temporary, retirement from
coaching.
“The only regret I have is I coached
while my son played at another high
school and I never got a chance to see
him play unless we played against
each other,” Scott remembered
his father saying. “So when my son
started playing high school tennis, I
said I’m not going to miss his career.”
Scott would bring his son, Arin,
along to tennis lessons when he was

Photo courtesy of Scott Enge
Scott ( left) and Arin (right) Enge finished sixth at the 2009 National Father Son
USTA Grass Court Championships.
a toddler. They would hit together as
Arin got older, and Scott was always
cognizant of the balance between
father and coach. Like his father, he
never wanted to tarnish the former
for excess of the latter. One evening,
while at dinner with Wayne Bryan,
father of Mike and Bob, and he asked
him how he managed the balance so
successfully.
“You have to find something fun to
do outside of tennis,” Bryan said. “Me
and my boys have a band. When they
come home, we play drums, guitar,
keyboard. That’s our fun thing.”
For Scott and Arin, it’s hunting and
fishing in the great outdoors. And
it would seem Scott balanced being
father and coach quite well.
Arin played college tennis at Ferris
State and Nebraska-Kearney and is
now the director of tennis at MVP
Athletic Club in Grand Rapids,
Mich. He’s been a USPTA member
for 10 years.
Promises to keep
In 2017, Scott got back into coaching
at Ottawa University in Kansas.
There, he has continued the familial
philosophy his father engrained in
him. On recruiting trips, he offers
players and their parents three
promises.
“Number one: You’re going to get
better. Number two: You’re going to
have fun at practice. Number three,
my most important promise,” at this
point, speaking to the parents. “I will
treat your child like my own.
“How do you get quality kids
to come to little Ottawa, Kansas?
You have to treat them like family.
That’s something I learned from
my dad,” Scott said. “If you treat
people with respect, if you have their
best interests at heart, and they
truly believe that, they’ll follow you
wherever you want to go.”
It’s easy for the parents to believe
him, because he’s been doing this for
May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 49
USPTA
decades. As did his father and son.
The proof is everywhere.
For his father’s 80th birthday,
Scott sent invitations to around 100
people. Once word got out, almost
200 people, mostly former players,
came to celebrate with their coach.
Those players have their own
promises to keep. After they
graduate, they are asked to make
three phone calls: when they get
their first job, when they get married,
and when they have their first child.
“You don’t have to name them after
me,” Scott says, “but I want you to
call me so we can celebrate because
that’s what families do.”
A couple years ago, Scott and his wife,
Sandy, were on vacation in St. Lucia.
Scott was upstairs when Sandy called.
“She said, ‘You have to meet this
young lady, she lives 10 miles from us
outside Kansas City.’”
The woman was eloping with her
fiancé. When she pointed him out
across the pool, Scott said, ‘That’s
Matt Pflumm, isn’t it?”
As it turned out, Scott was
Pflumm’s elementary P.E. teacher.
“Matt came over and said, ‘Coach
Enge, what are you doing here?’ He
recognized me right away.”
The two couples had dinner several
times over the next few days, until
finally, Matt asked Scott for a favor.
“He said, ‘I don’t have a best man
here. Would you be the best man at
my wedding?’”
As Matt and Holly were wed, they
had his coach and his wife by their
side. Family.
“You never know as a coach or
teacher how you affect kids and how
important you are in their lives. One
of the great honors of my life is to be
the best man for a former student,”
Scott said. “I taught him when he was
5 to 10 years old. To come back 10, 15
years later and say would you be the
best man at my wedding? There’s no
greater honor than that.”*
 Master Professional Corner USPTA

Spice Up Your Group Practices

By Tracking Match Stats
Jack Newman, USPTA Master Professional

R ecently, a group of players and

coaches travelled to a sectional
tournament here in Texas. While
watching one of our Austin Tennis
Academy players compete in the
tournament, time permitted us to
chart the match using MatchTrack.
I really like the app and look
forward to using it more. Charting
apps are relatively cheap and very
useful. Coaches can give players
real information right after the
match. You can encourage parents
to download the app as well and
they can send you the information
about your students when you
cannot be at a tournament match.
We tell players that sometimes,
the loser wins most points, as they
did in this case. The player who lost
won 82 points, while the winner
only won 79. Indeed, the winning
player won the match despite
having won fewer points – not a
common occurrence, but one that is
possible in a tennis match.
Even though the app provided
information we could use for
comparing unforced errors, winners
and forced errors, I decided points
won alone was good enough to
start an incredibly impactful
conversation with ATA students.
Some of the questions discussed
from this simple stat included what
it explained about the match, and
what it tells the student about the
way they play tennis. Does this stat
make them think differently about
a recent close match they won or
lost? Players were engaged in this
discussion and took the ideas into
practice and into their next private
lessons with their primary coaches.
To draw a parallel between
this particular match and what
happens in the professional game,
I referenced an article by Craig
O’Shannessy addressing ATP

Photo credit: SpeedKingz/ Shutterstock

This is a great way to involve
parents in their youngsters’
training in a healthy manner.
When I reviewed the results
of the match, it occurred to me
there was an opportunity to use
the findings to bring meaningful
context to a discussion we
often have with our players.
Understanding the objective of the
game, limiting unforced errors and
keeping the ball in play are constant
subjects of conversation between
players and coaches.
Here are the facts of that match:
It went three sets with a final score
of 6-2, 0-6, 6-4. Each player won 12
games. There were 161 total points
played in the match.

May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 51

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Andy Murray won a gold medal in men’s singles at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
year-end statics. In the article it
stated that in 2016, Andy Murray
was the No. 1 player in the world
and his overall match record was
78-9. This equates to a 90% match
win percentage, yet Andy Murray
only won 6,987 of 12,814, or 55%, of
the points played. Another way of
looking at: he lost 5,827 points that
year. These stats are available from
a number of sources and are a great
resource to talk to students about
how the things that happen in pro
tennis and the things that happen
in their sectional tournaments are
very similar or on the same level in a
certain respect.
With the match I charted, and
the stats about Andy Murray,
the conversation provided some
key revelations for players in the
following areas:
• Be stingy with giving away free
points. If there is an element of
Master Professional Corner USPTA
make a big difference in the
outcome of the match, especially
if the match is close.
• How many points would you need
to change in your last close match
to turn a loss into a win? Many
players thought they could change
the outcome by changing only a
handful of points. You can set up
practice situations that address
this: play sets with each game
starting at 30-30 to help players
see how few points can make a
difference in the outcome of the
set. Give players a few points a set
that they can claim at any time.
How would you use five points
in a set? Take the first game and
use four of them? Or only use one
point to claim a game? It makes
players think about the value of
any given point in a match.
• How does your game style fit
with the understanding about the
your game that costs you 5-10 percentage of points you need to
points per match, you should win to control the outcome of a
be diligent about shoring up match?
that area, because the margins
of winning and losing are Players started thinking about
small. Come home from every how they were practicing, how their
tournament with takeaways that points were won or lost, how their
you can share with your coach matches were won or lost. While their
and that can help shape your engagement in the discussion was
next few lessons. For example, if initially sparked by talking about a
you missed 15 backhand returns match played by someone they knew,
in a match, and you went and it carried over onto the practice court.
practiced your backhand return Coaches only needed to provide
for a month, getting in plenty gentle reminders to dial back in our
of reps, and the next month group of young players hungry to turn
you only missed five backhand over every rock possible in pursuit of
returns, those 10 points could improved performance. *
Jack Newman is a USPTA Master Professional and is one of the longest tenured
junior development coaches in the nation. He founded programs at Fretz Tennis
Center in Dallas, St. Stephen’s School in Austin and the Austin Tennis Academy,
where he currently serves as CEO. Newman also coaches, manages Academy
logistics and tournament schedules.
May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 53
 USPTA

Running a Successful High

School Coaches Workshop
Timothy Fitzgerald, USPTA Elite Professional

H igh School coaches are exposed

to players of all skill levels and
abilities. Most coaches are volunteers
or get paid very little for their services,
but what drives them is their love and
passion for the game of tennis and
sharing it with others. Coaches share
this love to players that may be brand
new to tennis and will hopefully adopt
tennis as a lifelong sport. This is an
Photo courtesy of Timothy Fitzgerald
The resources and coaching education
provided to high school coaches are
usually very minimal as funding for
tennis programs is well behind that
of other major sports like football,
baseball and basketball. I was surprised
to learn that many high school coaches
are not certified, have never been to a
teaching conference or taught a group
clinic or private lesson. Recognizing
this shortfall
attendance at USPTA events at member
pricing, as well as a subscription to
Tennis and Racquet Sports Industry
Magazines. Though this discount
already existed, many high school
coaches were not aware of it, so I began
to brainstorm ways to share this and
other resources with our district’s high
school coaches.
In 2018, the USPTA and USTA
were emphasizing the need for better

prompted me education and improved resources for

An on-court demonstration at the USPTA Delaware High School
Coaches Workshop in 2018.
important opportunity to reach youth
who may otherwise chose another
sport, and the coaches are a crucial
part of this process. There is a strong
need for educated and certified high
school coaches to help students learn
the game, find success and grow more
interest for tennis.
to look for high school tennis coaches. At the time,
a solution. I I was the USPTA Delaware District
reached out President and in order to address this
to the USPTA need, I decided to run a statewide High
to explore the School Tennis Coaches Workshop.
education and Starting from scratch, I reached out to
certification every coach and connection that I had
options available in order to brainstorm how to gather as
to high school many coaches as possible at one time.
tennis coaches. Particularly helpful was a contact at
The USPTA the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic
Middle States Association. When I spoke with the
Sectional DIAA, I discovered that they already run
President a rules meeting that’s mandatory for all
informed me coaches participating in spring sports.
that high school I offered to host a High School Tennis
coaches can Coaches Workshop, including classroom
join the USPTA at a discounted rate, education about the USPTA, teaching
allowing them to use all the tools that methods, practice structure and an
the Association has to offer. For $99, the on-court workshop. I also collaborated
school could purchase a school coach’s with the local USTA Tennis Service
membership, available to all tennis Representative for additional resources
coaches at the school, which includes and funding.
access to TennisResources.com, an My first workshop in 2018 was very
interactive online practice planner, basic, but it was a great starting point

54 - ADDvantage Magazine — May 2020


Tennis coaches at the USPTA Delaware High School Coaches Workshop in 2018.
for years to come. The DuPont Country
Club in Wilmington, Del., hosted the
DIAA rules clinic in the clubhouse,
followed by the new workshop. Several
tennis industry leaders and I spoke about
Net Generation and other programs
available to high school students,
including tournaments, junior leagues
and summer camps. I followed with a
presentation on coaching methodologies
and the benefits of USPTA membership.
Next was an on-court presentation
where I demonstrated how to
successfully manage a practice, from
beginner drills to advanced point play,
with the help of some of our high school
players. It was essential for coaches to
observe the importance of separating
skill levels, encouraging players to reach
a goal, keeping players moving, learning
new techniques, experiencing match
play and most importantly having fun!
With over 40 coaches in attendance in
2018, great engagement and questions
followed – the coaches wanted to
learn more! By working together with
the USPTA, USTA and the DIAA, we
were able to offer free admission. This
collaboration also allowed for more
opportunity and expansion in future
years. In 2019 and 2020, we added a
USPTA
Photo courtesy of Timothy Fitzgerald
“Free Pro Shop” where coaches could A 6-step process to start
pick up gently used tennis equipment, a High School Coaches
including racquets, bags, shoes, balls Workshop in your Section/
and apparel, donated by the local District:
tennis community, for their players
in need. The feedback was beyond 1. Contact your USPTA division
my expectations, and it was a great president to see what resources are
way for the community to give back already available to school coaches,
as well. After my third annual High including marketing materials and
School Coaches Workshop in Delaware, discounts
I continue to think about how I can 2. Contact athletic directors and your
improve on this event year after year. state/county’s athletics association
It will continue to be a great chance for to get coaches’ contact information
high school coaches to learn, engage and/or partner with an event they
and connect with the professional already host
tennis community. If you see such a 3. Connect with your local USTA Tennis
need in your section or district, I would Service Representative
encourage you to consider establishing 4. Provide an engaging classroom and
a similar program, as it provides us on-court presentation
with a unique opportunity as certified 5. Provide educational and informative
teaching professionals to share our material for the coaches to take home
skills and knowledge with the greater 6. Follow up with the coaches before,
tennis community. * during and after the season
Tim Fitzgerald is the Director of Tennis at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington,
Delaware. Tim specializes in running a high performance junior academy (RAW
Academy) that has produced many Division I athletes since its inception in 2006.
Tim currently sits on the USPTA Middle States Executive Committee as the Vice
President of the Middle States Division and was formally the USPTA Delaware
District President. Tim has been involved with teaching tennis for over 20 years and
has been a USPTA member since 2009.
May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 55

Tennis Things You Can Do
During the Coronavirus Crisis
O ur ability to adapt will be
tested during the rapidly
changing coronavirus pandemic.
We don’t know how long this virus
will last or how severe its effects
will be. But tennis players have
surmounted daunting challenges
before, such as world wars, natural
disasters, economic depressions
and political upheavals.
With information, ingenuity
and planning, you can make the
best of this temporary world of
public isolation while complying
with your country’s guidelines to
protect yourself and others against
COVID-19.
Paul Fein, USPTA Elite Professional
Here are some suggestions to
help make life bearable and even
enjoyable.
Watch great
tennis matches.
If you’re going through a painful
withdrawal from the suspension
of pro tournaments, with a few
clicks, you can watch all or parts
of championship matches online.
If you’ve taped them over the
years, dig into your video library
and select your favorite players
competing in their most glorious
matches. And if your nation is
fortunate to have a tennis channel,
May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 57
USPTA
check its TV schedule for replays of
the greatest matches in the recent
and distant past.
Read a tennis book.
If you enjoy humor and nostalgia,
you’ll love Too Soon To Panic,
a classic by Gordon Forbes. If
memoirs are your favorite genre,
you can’t beat Open, a candid page-
turner by Andre Agassi. Hardcore
tennis fans will relish Short Circuit,
a controversial exposé by muckraker
Michael Mewshaw. Players itching
to improve their games will find
Absolute Tennis, an instruction
book by Marty Smith, brimming
with valuable insights and topnotch
advice. The Pros: The Forgotten Era
of Tennis by Peter Underwood will
engross history buffs interested in
the unsung, outcast pro champions
before open tennis arrived in 1968.
Reading old tennis magazines can
also bring back fond memories of
happier times.
Phone your tennis friends.
That will reduce their and your
social isolation. Ask them how
they’re dealing with the cancellation
of tournaments. Just talk tennis
with them. The conversation might
focus on recent matches, how
injuries are healing or reminisces
of tournaments past. You might
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even speculate about the effects of alternating the direction laterally, of their favorite stars, such as Rafa
the coronavirus crisis on the tennis diagonally, backward and forward. and Serena fist-pumping and yelling,
world. For example, how will the And don’t forget to stretch to “Come on!” after they win big points.
rescheduled French Open, starting improve your flexibility. Watch a funny tennis movie, such
Sept. 20, affect clay-court king Rafael as Battle of the Sexes, Pat and Mike
Nadal’s chances of winning his mind- Talk about your dreams. or Break Point. Laughter is the best
blowing 13th title? If you want to make your high medicine – no joke. According to
school, college or club team, discuss the Mayo Clinic, laughter relieves
Play trivia games and how you plan to do it. The same goes stress, improves your immune
do tennis quizzes with for winning a coveted title, achieving system, stimulates many organs and
your family. a top-10 ranking or improving a brightens your mood.
You can get the games going with weak stroke in your game. The
these challenging and fun questions. dream could involve serving in Stay informed because
Do you know which 1970s and a tennis organization, whether it’s your best defense.
2000s tennis champions were once it be paid or volunteer work. For In an era of unprecedented
engaged but did not marry? Or inspiration, remember what the misinformation, you can find
which 1930s female star became a great writer John Updike said: valuable information and
heroic American spy during World “Dreams come true. Without that authoritative advice at highly
War II? Or which all-time great won possibility, nature would not incite us respected health and medical
far fewer Grand Slam titles than his to have them.”’ organizations such as the World
wife? If you have a smarty pants in Health Organization and Centers for
your family, ask them to tell you the Lighten up! Disease Control and Prevention.
four different scoring system rules A sense of humor is more important We are all in this pandemic
for deciding set tiebreakers at Grand now than ever. If you have young together. So, as Ben Franklin said
Slam tournaments and the name of children, go online for some tennis after signing the Declaration of
the tennis gold medalist at the first jokes, or conjure some from your Independence in 1776, “We must all
Olympic Games. own imagination! They can also have hang together or most assuredly we
fun impersonating the mannerisms will all hang separately.”*
If you can’t play, increase
Paul Fein has received more than 40 writing awards and authored three books, Tennis
your off-court training. Confidential: Today’s Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies; You Can Quote
Hitting against a wall keeps your
Me on That: Greatest Tennis Quips, Insights, and Zingers; and Tennis Confidential II:
groundstrokes grooved and your More of Today’s Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies. Fein is also a USPTA
timing sharp. You can also learn Elite Professional, former director of the Springfield (Mass.) Satellite Tournament, a
how to juggle tennis balls. To former top 10-ranked men’s open New England tournament player and No. 1-ranked
maintain your speed and agility, Super Senior player in New England. His websites are www.tennisconfidential.com
sprint 10, 20 and 30 feet, while and www.tennisquotes.com. His email address is lincjeff1@comcast.net.

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE

President................................................................. Feisal Hassan
First Vice President.............................................Richard Slivocka
Vice Presidents...............Lane Evans, Mark Faber, Trish Faulkner,
Jason Gilbert, Bill Mountford
Immediate Past President............................................ Gary Trost
CEO...........................................................................John Embree
Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell
ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States
Editor..................................................................................Lucas Casás
Professional Tennis Association.
Layout/Design............................................................... Gustavo Reyes
Editorial Assistance ............................Alegna Hollis, Ramona Husaru, The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of
the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage
Sid Newcomb, Chantell Segal, Fred Viancos, Ellen Weatherford
Circulation.................................................................... Trevor Trudelle or the United States Professional Tennis Association.
USPTA World Headquarters Copyright© United States Professional Tennis
11961 Performance Dr. Association, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction
Orlando, FL 32827 of any portion of the magazine is not permitted
800-887-8248- www.uspta.com without written permission from the USPTA.

May 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 59

USPTA Career Development

Career Development
USPTA Certification Testing Dates 2020 USPTA Division Conferences
May 1..................................................... Newport Tennis & Fitness May 1-3 Eastern...................International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Newport, RI . Newport, RI
May 1-2....................................................................... Holiday Park May 1-3 New England.......... International Tennis Hall of Fame
Cheyenne, WY . Newport, RI
May 2....................................................................... Wakonda Club May 14-16 Southern.................................... Atlanta Athletic Club
Des Moines, IA . Johns Creek, GA
May 2-3.........................................................Sea Cliff Country Club
May 15-17 Southwest........................... Grand Canyon University
Huntington Beach, CA
. Phoenix, AZ
May 8-9......................................................Arlington Tennis Center
Arlington, TX May 28-31 Florida...................... Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
May 9............................................................. Eastlake High School . Naples, FL
Chula Vista, CA June 5-6 Pacific Northwest................................Linfield College
May 9-10.......................................................... Oaks at Boca Raton . McMinnville, OR
Boca Raton, FL June 13-14 Hawaii............................................... Punahou School
May 11-12............................................................... Bay Clubs SFTC . Honolulu, HI
San Francisco, CA Sept. 21-25 USPTA World Conference...................Hilton Riverside
May 14-15............................................... Grand Canyon University . New Orleans, LA
Phoenix, AZ
May 15..................................................................Tennis Addiction
Exton, PA
May 15-16...............................................April Sound Country Club
Montgomery, TX
May 16......................................................... Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
May 17........................ Williamson County Indoor Sports Complex
Brentwood, TN
May 17.................................................................... Dominion Club
Glen Allen, VA
May 20-21.......................................................................... Monaco
Denver, CO
May 23.................................... John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis
Eau Claire, WI
May 23..................................University of Alabama Tennis Facility
Tuscaloosa, AL
May 23-24............................................. Green Island Country Club
Columbus, GA
May 29-30..................................Ivory Ridge Swim and Tennis Club Visit www.uspta.com for a complete listing of certification and
Lehi, UT educational opportunities
May 30.............................................. Bridgewater State University • Wheelchair • Pickleball
Bridgewater, MA • Padel • RacquetFit
May 30-31............................................Mission Viejo Country Club • Platform
St. Louis, MO
May 30-31.....................................Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
Naples, FL
May 31......................................................... Missouri Athletic Club
St. Louis, MO
Visit TennisResources.com to find hundreds of exclusive
Exam reservations must be made by calling the USPTA World educational and instructional videos, audio material, articles
Headquarters at 407-634-3050 ext. 2 at least 21 days prior to and drill diagrams related to all levels and aspects of the game
the dates listed. Each date includes an exam and upgrade. PTCA
I is included in the two-day exam. Exam cancellations must be of tennis. The user friendly video interface is great for watching
received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation on a desktop or mobile device and makes it easy to #GetYourSix
fee will be charged accordingly. wherever you are!

60 - ADDvantage Magazine — May 2020

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